Long term Prednisone treatment is known to produce adrenal insufficiency, high blood pressure, high glucose, osteoporosis, possible psychosis, liver disease, and Cushing syndrome among many other problems. Many people are fed up with the side effects of this and the other common drugs used to treat active flairs of IBD. Now with the advent of Biologics such as Humira and Remicade, the question remains Should I make the switch?
Remicade and other Biologics are a type of protein that recognize, attaches to, and blocks the action of a substance in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is made by certain blood cells in your body. These drugs will not cure adult Crohn’s disease, pediatric Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, but blocking TNF with Remicade may reduce the inflammation caused by TNF in your body. It is delivered intraveniously every six weeks. It must be noted that it has been found that Biologics may increase the risk of Lymphoma and serious, life threatening super infections, although as more data is being recieved it seems that the risk is less than originally thought.
Even with the side effects of Remicade and other biologics, Doctors are finding that there are less life threatening complications for those with Crohns disease who make the switch because of its amazing ability to keep IBD in check. It is still being used as a last resort because of the lack of long term studies, but if you feel Biologics may be helpful to you, talk to your doctor.
