Raptiva for Psoriasis
Helooo, did anybody have any experiences with Raptiva yet? I just
found this from internet and wondering if somebody have tried it can
share their experience.
RAPTIVATM (efalizumab) is an exciting new treatment option for
adults (18 years or older) with chronic moderate to severe plaque
psoriasis. As part of a class of therapies known as biologics,
RAPTIVA is different from traditional pharmaceuticals. While
traditional pharmaceuticals are made up of chemicals, biologics are
actually developed using proteins from living cells. As a biologic,
RAPTIVA is designed to target the specific cells in the body that
cause psoriasis, and this may provide significant benefits for
people with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
What is psoriasis?
While there is no clear explanation for how psoriasis begins, we do
know that it develops when certain cells in the immune system,
called T-cells, become abnormally activated. Once these T-cells have
been activated, they begin to migrate to the skin, multiply and
release natural chemicals (called cytokines) that, in turn, affect
skin cells and lead to the development of the skin lesions known as
plaque psoriasis.
How can RAPTIVA help?
RAPTIVA works by closing off the parts of the T-cell that are
important in starting the process of activation that leads to
psoriasis. By blocking this pathway, RAPTIVA is able to help prevent
the release of cytokines and the growth and migration of other T-
cells, and stall the cycle of events that would eventually result in
plaque psoriasis. With this unique mechanism of action, RAPTIVA may
help patients to acquire and maintain a level of continuous control
of their psoriasis symptoms that has not been previously available.
How is RAPTIVA administered?
RAPTIVA is delivered via a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection—a
single dose, once a week. It is designed to be administered at home
following instruction by a healthcare professional.
Because RAPTIVA is a biologic, it is administered differently than
traditional psoriasis medications. You may be familiar with
psoriasis medicines that you apply directly to your skin or take
orally. The body absorbs these types of treatments differently. For
instance, oral medications are processed through the digestive
system, but biologics such as RAPTIVA are made of proteins that
would become ineffective if they entered the digestive system. This
is why RAPTIVA is delivered via a subcutaneous (under the skin)
injection, which is designed to be administered at home following
instruction by a healthcare professional.
What should I know about RAPTIVA?
RAPTIVA can decrease the activity of your immune system. People
using RAPTIVA may have an increased chance of getting serious
infections and certain cancers. However, the role of RAPTIVA in the
development of cancer is not known.
Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) have been infrequently
observed during treatment. Platelets help your blood clot. Call your
doctor right away if you have unusual or easy bruising or bleeding.
Your healthcare provider may test your platelet counts.
Some patients have had severe worsening or new forms of psoriasis
while taking RAPTIVA or after stopping RAPTIVA. Tell your healthcare
provider right away if your psoriasis gets worse or if you see any
new rashes during or after treatment with RAPTIVA.
You should not get vaccines while using RAPTIVA.
The most common side effects of RAPTIVA include headache, chills,
fever, nausea, and muscle aches. These reactions usually happen
within the first 48 hours following RAPTIVA injection, and often
decrease after the first few weeks of use of RAPTIVA. Back pain,
joint pain, swelling of the arms or legs (peripheral edema) can also
happen with RAPTIVA.
If you are living with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis,
RAPTIVA may be the treatment you have been waiting for. Talk to your
doctor or healthcare professional to learn more about RAPTIVA.
January 28th, 2005 at 8:10 pm
Hi everyone,
Just read about Raptiva below. My partner has severe psoriasis which just
keeps on getting worse. He is keen to use something like Raptiva as he is
desperate.
I am worried about what the chemical will do to him, it sounds very scary. I
had psoriasis when I was 14 years old and the doctor gave me an IM injection
X2 (a week or so apart) and the psoriasis vanished and never returned. I
have no idea what I was injected with, but still I don’t seem to have been
badly affected by it (as far as I know).
Are there people in this group using drugs such as Raptiva and if so, can
you please tell me how you are going with it? Or if people on this group in
general feel that the drug is ‘risky’, please let me know your thoughts on
it. I’d appreciate it.
Going to try Ivar’s cream too. Has anyone had success with the cream? It
seems to be quite popular on this group. We are getting a sample to try,
fingers crossed.
Thanks,
Jo
Helooo, did anybody have any experiences with Raptiva yet? I just
found this from internet and wondering if somebody have tried it can
share their experience.
RAPTIVATM (efalizumab) is an exciting new treatment option for
adults (18 years or older) with chronic moderate to severe plaque
psoriasis. As part of a class of therapies known as biologics,
RAPTIVA is different from traditional pharmaceuticals. While
traditional pharmaceuticals are made up of chemicals, biologics are
actually developed using proteins from living cells. As a biologic,
RAPTIVA is designed to target the specific cells in the body that
cause psoriasis, and this may provide significant benefits for
people with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
What is psoriasis?
While there is no clear explanation for how psoriasis begins, we do
know that it develops when certain cells in the immune system,
called T-cells, become abnormally activated. Once these T-cells have
been activated, they begin to migrate to the skin, multiply and
release natural chemicals (called cytokines) that, in turn, affect
skin cells and lead to the development of the skin lesions known as
plaque psoriasis.
How can RAPTIVA help?
RAPTIVA works by closing off the parts of the T-cell that are
important in starting the process of activation that leads to
psoriasis. By blocking this pathway, RAPTIVA is able to help prevent
the release of cytokines and the growth and migration of other T-
cells, and stall the cycle of events that would eventually result in
plaque psoriasis. With this unique mechanism of action, RAPTIVA may
help patients to acquire and maintain a level of continuous control
of their psoriasis symptoms that has not been previously available.
How is RAPTIVA administered?
RAPTIVA is delivered via a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection-a
single dose, once a week. It is designed to be administered at home
following instruction by a healthcare professional.
Because RAPTIVA is a biologic, it is administered differently than
traditional psoriasis medications. You may be familiar with
psoriasis medicines that you apply directly to your skin or take
orally. The body absorbs these types of treatments differently. For
instance, oral medications are processed through the digestive
system, but biologics such as RAPTIVA are made of proteins that
would become ineffective if they entered the digestive system. This
is why RAPTIVA is delivered via a subcutaneous (under the skin)
injection, which is designed to be administered at home following
instruction by a healthcare professional.
What should I know about RAPTIVA?
RAPTIVA can decrease the activity of your immune system. People
using RAPTIVA may have an increased chance of getting serious
infections and certain cancers. However, the role of RAPTIVA in the
development of cancer is not known.
Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) have been infrequently
observed during treatment. Platelets help your blood clot. Call your
doctor right away if you have unusual or easy bruising or bleeding.
Your healthcare provider may test your platelet counts.
Some patients have had severe worsening or new forms of psoriasis
while taking RAPTIVA or after stopping RAPTIVA. Tell your healthcare
provider right away if your psoriasis gets worse or if you see any
new rashes during or after treatment with RAPTIVA.
You should not get vaccines while using RAPTIVA.
The most common side effects of RAPTIVA include headache, chills,
fever, nausea, and muscle aches. These reactions usually happen
within the first 48 hours following RAPTIVA injection, and often
decrease after the first few weeks of use of RAPTIVA. Back pain,
joint pain, swelling of the arms or legs (peripheral edema) can also
happen with RAPTIVA.
If you are living with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis,
RAPTIVA may be the treatment you have been waiting for. Talk to your
doctor or healthcare professional to learn more about RAPTIVA.
_____
January 28th, 2005 at 10:55 pm
Unsubscribe me please. I entered in by mistake. Thank you.