They definitely do cause issues - higher risk of exciting cancers and a generally more sickly existence. Studies in IBD have their efficacy at 20-30% of patients in remission after a year so they're only somewhat effective (vs half that for placebo). Anecdotally (from my own experience, and from talking to my doctors) quality of life can be poor - mind crushing fatigue is fairly common. Admittedly the fatgue may be the cocktail of other crap in my body!
Something new with few side effects might help lots of people avoid surgery.
Sorry to hear of your experience, but wanted to say for others that autoimmune diseases and the associated medications are complex beasts and ymmv...
I have been on a TNF-a inhibitor for over a year and the results thus far have been literally life changing - for the better. I haven't been this healthy or had this much energy since before adulthood.
In the US anti-TNF biologics treatments can cost several thousand dollars per month. Even with patents expiring this year the industry isn't expecting dramatic price drops due to the different regulatory process for bio-similars versus a typical generic drug.
I'm sure there are many patients who would be happy for a more cost effective option.
"several thousand" is "list price" for single shots and no or fake health insurance.
In practice insurance companies negotiate the price down and average patient pays much less than that.
Major drug makers are ready to go the second the patents expire. Prices should drop dramatically for something like Humira (adalimumab) and biosimilars.
And they also come with some unpleasant side-effects: a much higher incidence of skin cancer and all the risks that come with being immunosuppressed. (Plus the disadvantages - if you like soft cheese and deli meats, being on an anti-TNF drug will suck.)
c0g|9 years ago
Something new with few side effects might help lots of people avoid surgery.
matheweis|9 years ago
I have been on a TNF-a inhibitor for over a year and the results thus far have been literally life changing - for the better. I haven't been this healthy or had this much energy since before adulthood.
slv77|9 years ago
I'm sure there are many patients who would be happy for a more cost effective option.
tosseraccount|9 years ago
thenomad|9 years ago
They're also very, very expensive.
jukkakoskinen|9 years ago