Arthritis Drugs Liked to Cancer & Infection: Humira and Remicade
May 17, 2006
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic
say patients taking the drugs Humira or Remicade triple their risk
of developing several kinds of cancer, including skin, breast, lung
and gastrointestinal tumors and double their risk of developing
infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Merck pulled Vioxx from the
market in September 2004 due to cardiovascular safety concerns.
Pfizer's Bextra was withdrawn seven months later at the request of
regulators and Celebrex has been under scrutiny for its increased
risk of heart problems.
The withdrawal of these two members of the COX-2 inhibitor, or coxib,
class of analgesics and anti-inflammatories shook the rheumatoid
arthritis field and cost the companies dearly in lost revenue.
Remicade is a partially humanized and Humira a fully humanized
monoclonal antibody specific for TNF. The drugs neutralize both
extracellular and membrane forms of TNF, a cytokine considered of
major importance in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, the
researchers said.
For people with inflammatory conditions who have tried other
medications with little success, TNF-alpha inhibitors may provide
some relief. Also known as biologic response modifiers, these new
prescription drugs block the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),
a protein that's present in larger quantities in your body if you
have certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's
disease.
Like all medications, TNF-alpha inhibitors may cause side effects
that you should consider when deciding to take these drugs.
Talk about your concerns with your doctor if you're considering
taking these medications.
TO REACH
HUMIRA LAWYERS / REMICADE ATTORNEYS
If you or a loved one have
suffered from the dangerous side effects of Humira or Remicade, you should
consider receiving a free legal evaluation from an experienced
Humira attorney or a Remicade lawyer. For a free evaluation of your situation please
complete the following form and a Humira lawyer or a Remicade
attorney will contact you
promptly - free of charge.
CELEBREX NEWS
Pfizer Finds Heart Risk With Celebrex
December 17, 2004, ABC News
Pfizer Inc. said Friday it two tests showed an increased risk of
heart problems with patients taking its painkiller Celebrex, a drug
that is in the same class as the Vioxx, which was pulled from the
market in September because of safety concerns.
Arthritis Drug Fears Escalate, Celebrex Concerns Listed
October 24, 2004, Stuff.co.nz
Preliminary
data shows may be slightly more likely to cause circulatory problems
than Vioxx, which was pulled from pharmacies this month.
EMEA to review COX-2 inhibitors
October 22, 2002, European Medicines Agency
Following the worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib), the
European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been asked by the European
Commission, as a precautionary measure, to conduct a review of COX-2
inhibitor medicines.
Pfizer Falls On Celebrex Concerns
October 8, 2004, CBS Marketwatch
... shares dove more than 7 percent Thursday at one point after
editorials in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated its drug
Celebrex could possibly cause cardiovascular problems similar to
those of Merck's Vioxx...
Scientists
Call For Fresh Look At Celebrex
October 8, 2004, Salt Lake Tribune
Scientists in the United States and Britain are calling for a fresh
look at Celebrex and other medications similar to Vioxx, the
arthritis drug pulled from the ...
Other Drugs Besides Vioxx May Raise Heart Risks, Report Suggests
Oct 6, 2004, WTVM,
GA
... A University of Pennsylvania cardiologist says he thinks the
problem with Vioxx may also apply to Celebrex and to a newer Pfizer
drug, Bextra. ...
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