Drug Updates

Subcategories:Analgesics Biologics/DMARDs

Denosumab vs. Zoledronate: An Analysis of Treatments for Low Bone Mineral Density in Patients with HIV

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | May 9, 2022

In a small study of men with low bone mineral density (BDM) living with HIV and taking anti-retroviral therapy, both zoledronate or denosumab were well tolerated and effective for bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

Anifrolumab Promising for Sustained Low Disease Activity in Patients with Lupus

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | May 5, 2022

ACR CONVERGENCE 2021—Using pooled data from the TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 clinical trials, researchers set out to identify whether more patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being treated with anifrolumab achieved a low disease activity state than patients with SLE who received placebo.1-3 An analysis of the data was presented at ACR Convergence 2021 by Eric…

Pre-Eclampsia Risk & Rheumatic Disease

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | April 21, 2022

Secher et al. evaluated the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant patients with RA, axSpA or PsA, assessing the effect of disease activity and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on this risk.

FDA Approves Risankizumab-rzaa for PsA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | April 20, 2022

Two recent trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of risankizumab-rzaa for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

Is Hydroxychloroquine Safe During Pregnancy?

Arthritis & Rheumatology | March 31, 2022

Chambers et al. found no evidence of an increased risk of major structural birth defects nor any increase in a wide range of other pregnancy outcomes attributable to prenatal exposure to hydroxychloroquine.

The Ins & Outs of Patient Assistance Programs

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | March 3, 2022

Although effective against rheumatic disease, biologic therapies come with hefty price tags. Patient assistance programs can be a useful resource to help under- and uninsured patients get the drugs they need.

Drug Transference in Pregnancy: RheumMadness 2022 TNFi in Cord Blood Scouting Report

University of Chicago Medicine: Lauren He, MD; & Cuoghi Edens, MD | March 2, 2022

A study was able to quantify the transference of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Overall, the researchers found low levels of transfer for the treatments studied.

Improving Bone Mineral Density: Risedronate vs. Denosumab

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | March 2, 2022

Treatment with denosumab for patients with RA and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis led to greater increases in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and hips of patients than treatment with risedronate.

Beyond Trial & Error: RheumMadness 2022 AI: TNFi Response Scouting Report

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Saja Almaaitah, MD; Shashank Cheemalavagu, MD; Rupal Shastri, MD; Perry Fuchs, MD; Melany Gonzalez Orta, MD; & James Vondenberg, DO | February 14, 2022

As the capabilities of machine learning and artificial intelligence improve, rheumatologists have access to more data than ever, which may enable them to better predict which patients will respond to specific treatments, such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Clinical Insights into Axial Spondyloarthritis: Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, Part 5

Mary Choy, PharmD, BCGP, FASHP | February 10, 2022

Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options; others have few or only off-label options. This series, Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…