What Are Biologic Drugs?
Biologics are genetically engineered proteins. Unlike other RA medications that affect your entire immune system, biologics zero in on specific parts that control the inflammation process.
Why Take Biologics?
Aggressive treatment can help prevent long-term disability from rheumatoid arthritis. So if you have moderate to severe RA and don’t respond to traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), your doctor will probably say it’s time for a biologic. You might take it alone or along with other rheumatoid arthritis medications.
What Are the Types of Biologics?
There are several. They include:
• 1-B-cell inhibitor. They affect B cells, which are white blood cells that carry a protein that can trigger your immune response.
• 2-Interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocker. Stops production of an inflammatory chemical your body makes.
• 3-Interleukin-6 (IL-6) or interleukin-17 blocker. Stops inflammatory chemicals from attaching to cells.
• 4-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. Blocks proteins that trigger the inflammation process.
• 5-T-cell inhibitor. Blocks communication between T cells, a type of white blood cell.
• 6-Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Blocks a chemical your body makes that drives the inflammation process.
What Are Biosimilars?
**A biosimilar is very similar to, but not an exact copy of, a biologic drug. You’ll know that your medication is a biosimilar if it has a dash after the generic name, followed by four letters.
**Biologic drugs are harder to make than conventional medicines. While most traditional meds are made from chemicals and have known structures, biologics are more complex. They’re typically made from living materials, like animal, human, and bacteria cells.
**It’s not possible to make a perfect copy of a biologic drug, because each drugmaker uses different cells and a different process to make each drug. That’s why biosimilars are a little different from the original drug.
**Drugmakers have to prove that biosimilars are just as safe and effective as the original and that they work the same way. You get the same dose the same way at the same strength.
**Biologic drugs are much more expensive than other medicines. Even with health insurance, your out-of-pocket costs may add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month.
**Experts believe biosimilars may bring down the cost. Once the patent on a biologic drug runs out, other companies can make their own versions. These biosimilars usually come with lower price tags. The hope is that this will help more people get the drugs they need.
**The FDA has approved 28 biosimilars. The drugs below can treat rheumatoid arthritis, although only a few are available on the market:
• Avsola, Ixifi, Inflectra, and Renflexis, biosimilars of Remicade (infliximab).
• Eticovo and Erelzi, biosimilars of Enbrel (etanercept).
• Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, and Hyrimoz, biosimilars of Humira (adalimumab).
**If you’re already taking a biologic drug, it’s possible the biosimilar won’t work as well. It could also cause a side effect that the biologic doesn’t. That’s because some people have an immune response to biologic drugs. The response can cause a reaction to a biosimilar drug. In a worst-case scenario, you may start to resist the original biologic, too.
**Biosimilars that are safe to swap are called interchangeable biological products. The FDA is finalizing these guidelines for drugmakers.
**What to Expect When You Take a Biologic:
The FDA has approved these medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis. You might take a biologic alone or with another arthritis drug. As a general rule, you shouldn’t take different biologic therapies at the same time.
1-Abatacept (Orencia). This medication works by blocking T cells. You get it in a shot every week or by IV once a month. The most common side effects include headache, a cold, a sore throat, and nausea. Before you start taking it, your doctor should test you for infections such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. They should check you for infections while you’re taking it, too.
2-Adalimumab (Humira), adalimumab-adaz (Hyrimoz), adalimumab-adbm (Cyltezo), adalimumab-afzb (Abrilada), adalimumab-atto (Amjevita), adalimumab-bwwd (Hadlima), adalimumab-fkjp (Hulio). These medications target tumor necrosis factor (TNF). You get them as a shot once every 2 weeks. The most common side effects are colds, a sinus infection, headache, and rash. Before you start taking it, your doctor should test you for infections like tuberculosis and hepatitis. They should check you for infections while you’re
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