In a clinical trial, patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) did not experience a reduction in disease activity with the addition of rezpegaldesleukin to their standard treatments. However, some patient populations did see improvements in their disease activity compared with the placebo-treated group.
New prescribing guidance has been issued by the FDA for immediate-release and extended-release/long-acting opioids for pain management. The agency also announced multiple label updates, which include changes to the Boxed Warnings.
In recent months, many rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals have noted issues related to obtaining supplies of injectable and oral methotrexate for their patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (csDMARD), methotrexate is available as both oral tablets and as a subcutaneous injection for the treatment of RA and other autoimmune diseases.1…
Studies related to acupuncture and tai chi show some benefits for patients with musculoskeletal disorders, such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. When patients ask about these integrative health approaches, rheumatologists should recommend they use qualified, experienced practitioners.
Ho et al. found that upadacitinib may impede the progression of bone erosion in patients with RA. Additionally, bone scans of patients with limited exposure to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs showed bone erosion regression, which may result from upadacitinib’s inhibition of Janus kinase 1.
Stimulating human programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a checkpoint inhibitory receptor, with peresolimab may be a viable way to treat autoimmune diseases, according to a study by Tuttle et al. In the study, patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with peresolimab experienced greater improvements in disease activity than those who received placebo.
Research from Choi et al. provides insights into the risk of infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), comparing patients treated with Janus kinase inhibitors vs. tumor necrosis inhibitors. The most frequent infection was herpes zoster, with patients treated with JAK inhibitors having a significantly greater risk of herpes zoster infection than those treated with TNF inhibitors.
Biosimilars have become a therapeutic turning point for many patients who are living with rheumatic illnesses. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex, multi-faceted chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal and skin disease where the treatment has changed considerably over the past few years. Psoriatic arthritis has an impact on about 30% of people with psoriasis.1 In 2019, the…
The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. (CPD) launched in January 2022 to distribute and home deliver prescribed generic medications to consumers. The Texas-based business seeks to reduce the prices of generic drugs by leapfrogging financial negotiators and going straight to drug companies for supply, according to a news release.1 “It’s crazy that medications are…
On Feb. 3, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) revised its Letters of Authorization for two emergency use authorizations (EUAs), Paxlovid and Lagevrio, to remove the requirement for positive test results to prescribe these drugs. The agency continues to recommend that providers use direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing to help diagnose COVID-19. The FDA recognizes…