RoActemra : the arthritis drug and it’s effects

The medical profession got all eager this week about a ‘new’ drug, Tocilizumab, which they believe can ‘halt’ the crippling effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In fact they called this development ‘exciting’ and ‘dramatic’.

I wonder if the medical profession ever heard the saying: You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul.

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Damage as a package

Tocilizumab (which will be sold under the brand name RoActemra) works in conjunction with an existing treatment, Methotrexate, and is administered monthly. An annual course of the drug could cost between £4,000 and £10 000 and may be available on the NHS as early as January 2009.

Recent studies at the University of Liverpool showed that taking Methotrexate on its own only stopped symptoms in eight per cent of patients, but combined with Tocilizumab, 47 per cent of patients saw their condition ‘halted’.

This is what Ailsa Bosworth, chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), had to say about these findings: “We are encouraged by these findings, particularly as the treatment shows such promise of achieving remission, the ultimate goal for people with this cruel and debilitating disease.”

Dr. David Walker, a consultant rheumatologist at Newcastle hospital added: "RA patients are so stoical and uncomplaining because they are so used to having the pain...If this pushes them to remission, the results are dramatic - I think it is very promising."

The Bad and the Ugly

That’s all good and well, but the combination of these two drugs is absolutely lethal! But hey, why worry about the side-effects: If this drug can ‘halt’ one crippling disease, who cares if it causes potentially dangerous side effects and conditions..?

How ‘promising’ is that Dr. Walker and Ms. Bosworth?

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Let’s see what Methotrexate will do to your body on its own. Firstly the medical profession dubbed it to be a ‘smart drug’ which consists of molecules that target the immune system and promise to slow the progression of the RA as well as reduce its symptoms. That should already ring all your alarm bells: targets the immune system! It’s no wonder that you can suffer the following side-effects from this ‘smart drug’:

** Abnormal liver function – in fact you are advised to have a liver function blood test every 8-12 weeks when using Methotrexate.

** Nausea and vomiting – classified as ‘dose-dependant’ side-effects.

** Mouth sores

** Skin rashes

** Diarrhoea

** Blood count abnormalities

** Cirrhosis of liver

** Persistent cough

** Unexplained shortness of breath

** Gradual hair loss

** Sun sensitivity

Sounds great and reassuring, so let’s combine all of the above now with the side-effects of Tocilizumab, which is the ‘new clever kid on the block’. With your weekly injection you will also get the following (all inclusive):

** Headaches,

** Skin eruptions,

** Fevers

** Increased cholesterol levels

** Diarrhoea

** Hypertension

** Vomiting

** Upper respiratory tract inflammation

** Ligament rupture – Great! Your joints won’t ache any more but your ligaments may rip apart!

The list actually goes on, but I will stop here. I think I’ve made my point. Or perhaps I should quickly note the American Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) reported side-effects for Tocilizumab which have not been mentioned yet: sepsis, mediastinitis (acute or chronic inflammation of mid-chest tissues), coronary artery disease, spinal fusion surgery, bronchopneumonia, thalamic infarction (loss of blood supply to the thalamus in the brain causing dementia, disorientation and memory disturbance) ... and death!

Yes, you read it: DEATH. Now that’s rather ‘dramatic’, especially if you were only looking for a life free from arthritis pain.

Come on for a treatment that can cost up to £10 000 a year, surely the medical profession can come up with something a little more ‘user friendly’, or at least investigate the side-effects of their ‘smart drugs’ before they make a Mexican wave.

Sources:

‘Methotrexate: 10 Things You Should Know’ by Carol and Richard Eustice, published online 01/08/08, arthritis.about.com

‘TOCILIZUMAB – side effects and interactions’ published online patientsville.com

‘Monthly injection stops arthritis in its tracks’ by Caroline Gammell, published online 27/10/08, telegraph.co.za

‘New drugs give hope to arthritis sufferers’, by Laura Clout, published online 14/07/07, telegraph.co.uk

‘Why You are More Creative After You Sleep’ published online, articles.mercola.com

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"It is truly refreshing to read a newsletter on the topic of alternative medicine which is scientifically based and reviewed by professionals..." - Robert Sinott