ArthritisDigest2013
Generic versions of arthritis drug Celebrex become available in the US
The first generic version of Celebrex (celecoxib) capsules, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, short-term (acute) pain, and other conditions has been approved in the US.
It means that the drug will become more affordable in the US – where people have to pay for medication.
“It is important for patients to have access to affordable treatment options for chronic conditions,” comments Dr Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Health care professionals and patients can be assured that these FDA-approved generic drugs have met our rigorous approval standards.” Continue reading
Marijuana could become a treatment for autoimmune disease, says new study
Marijuana is back under the spotlight as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and lupus, thanks to research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
One of the most abused drugs, marijuana can also be used for medicinal purposes and has previously been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
We know that the environment in which we live can alter our genes – but little research has been done to establish if the anti-inflammatory properties of marijuana are due to this. Continue reading
Ustekinumab is NOT recommended for people with psoriatic arthritis in the UK
The use of ustekinumab (Stelara) as a new therapy for psoriatic arthritis has been given the red light by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The efficacy of the drug compared to other therapies has been called into question along with its cost effectiveness.
But people currently receiving ustekinumab for psoriatic arthritis can continue treatment until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop. Continue reading
Melatonin supplements may help strengthen the bones, new study suggests
Melatonin supplements could help strengthen the bones of older people, says a new international study published in Rejuvenation Research.
We already know that melatonin, an antioxidant made by a small gland in the brain, regulates bone mass. But until now, little research has been done into the link.
So scientists looked at the effects of melatonin supplements on the bones of older rats. They found that rats given melatonin for 10 weeks (which equates to about six years in humans) had higher bone volume and density (so were less likely to break or fracture) than rats not given supplements. Continue reading
New strategies could help women with rheumatoid arthritis who want to conceive
Women with rheumatoid arthritis who are trying to conceive a child could benefit from improved treatment strategies, says research in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Many women with rheumatoid arthritis take more than 12 months to conceive; during this time their arthritis often cannot be treated optimally, so it is very important to keep it to a minimum.
Now a Dutch study that looked at data from 245 women has found that time to conceive was longer than 12 months in 42% of women. Longer durations were independently associated with: Continue reading
