Counseling Points - November 2008 - (Page 10)

Table 5. Biologic DMARDs Used in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis2,11,12 Pre-infusion Medication N/A Approximate Time to Benefit A few days to 3 months Drug Adalimumab Target TNF-α Administration SC injection every 2 weeks Patients Early RA (<3 mo): DMARD-naïve with high disease activity & poor prognosis Intermediate and long duration disease: Methotrexate monotherapy or methotrexate in combination with another DMARD = inadequate response with moderate disease activity & poor prognosis or high disease activity regardless of prognosis Early RA (<3 mo): DMARD-naïve with high disease activity & poor prognosis Intermediate and long duration disease: Methotrexate monotherapy or methotrexate in combination with another DMARD = inadequate response with moderate disease activity & poor prognosis or high disease activity regardless of prognosis Early RA (<3 mo): DMARD-naïve with high disease activity & poor prognosis Intermediate and long duration disease: Methotrexate monotherapy or methotrexate in combination with another DMARD = inadequate response with moderate disease activity & poor prognosis or high disease activity regardless of prognosis Methotrexate & DMARD = inadequate response, at least moderate disease activity & poor prognosis Etanercept TNF-α SC injection weekly or twice weekly N/A A few days to 3 months Infliximab TNF-α IV infusion at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 8 weeks NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and/or antihistamines, if needed based on response to prior infusions A few days to 3 months Abatacept T-cell coIV infusion at stimulation weeks 0, 2, and 4, then every 4 weeks CD20 antigen on B cells IV infusion at weeks 0 and 2 None needed Within 4 months Rituximab Corticosteroids routinely recommended 8–16 weeks Methotrexate & DMARD = inadequate response, high disease activity & poor prognosis DMARDs=disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; IV=intravenous; NSAIDs=nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; SC=subcutaneous. COUNSELING POINTS™ 10

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Counseling Points - November 2008 Welcome Quality of Life and Treatment Options in Rheumatoid Arthritis Counseling Points

Counseling Points - November 2008

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