TNF Inhibitors used for Curing Diseases

According to the John Hopkins Medical Center, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors belongs to a family of drugs used for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).These drugs also known as auto immune drugs were approved in 1998.

Describing TNF Inhibitors

According to the Mayo Clinic, TNF alphas can be defined as cytokines or cell protein. TNF inhibitors work by blocking the cytokines to reduce swollen joints, pain or stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. Following TNF inhibitors are approved for market use:

• Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Adalimumab (Humira)

TNF inhibitors are used for the treatment of following condition:

• Crohn’s disease

It is defined as a physical disorder leading to the inflammation of digestive system.  It is a condition in which gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus inflames, especially in the small intestine

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

• Ankylosing spondylitis

It is also known as Bechterew’s disease or syndrome. It is responsible for inflammatory arthritis in the sacroiliac joints and spine. It is very painful.

• Psoriatic arthritis

There is inflammation in the joints and skin of the patients suffering from this disease.

Side Effects Caused by TNF Inhibitors

According to the investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, of the 240 cases of histoplasmosis, 45 were fatal and all these 240 patients were consuming TNF inhibitors.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), histoplasmosis, a kind of fungal infection has several symptoms but it commonly affects the functioning of lung. This infection is prevalent among the patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer including other immunosuppressor conditions.

According to the John Hopkins Medical Center, following are the additional side effects of TNF inhibitors:

• Malignancy
• Other infections in addition to histoplasmosis
• Immunogenecity

Due to the controversy of over the use of TNF inhibitors, patients consuming these drugs may seek the advice of an experienced pharmaceutical attorney.