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I've heard there's a new drug out for lupus. What do you know about it? Should I jump on the wagon?
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Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect just the skin (face, neck, scalp) or target organs and any system in the body. Autoimmune means that the immune system mistakenly attacks body parts in an effort to get rid of them. Why a person's immune system sees your own body as foreign or something to attack remains a mystery.
Symptoms vary depending on the body part, cells, or systems affected. There can be a skin rash, severe joint pain, extreme fatigue, inflammation of blood vessels, and hair loss. Headaches, irritability, and depression signal autoantibodies reacting with the nervous system.
Some patients report problems with shortness of breath, seizures, strokes, and/or difficulty with memory. Anemia, hepatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are among the many other symptoms possible.
The standard means of treatment has been with corticosteroids (antiinflammatory drugs) and medications that suppress the overactive immune system. Drugs to treat malaria have also been helpful. But now with the introduction ofBenlysta (belimumab), patients have a new treatment option.
The drug is administered intravenously (through a vein) once a month. It is designed to target B-lymphocyte stimulator protein. The goal is to reduce the number of abnormal B-cells. The effect is to turn down the immune system response.
Benlysta is the first drug to be developed specifically to treat lupus. It is considered safe, effective, and provides tolerable treatments. Not everyone can benefit from this drug and there are some potential side effects.
In drug trials before Benlysta was approved for public use, only one in three patients experienced relief from their symptoms. Because Benlysta weakens the immune system, patients taking the drug are at an increased risk for infections, cancers, depression, and suicide. The drug was not specifically studied in African-Americans, the group affected by lupus most often.
Lupus sufferers may find Benlysta helpful in reducing flare-ups, providing less fatigue, and resuming a more normal lifestyle. Patients who have had success using this drug for their lupus say their quality of life is much improved. With no cure for lupus and treatment only able to target the symptoms, Benlysta may give some patients a new lease on life.
If you are still interested, see your physician to find out if this drug may help you.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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