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Suggest Alternative Medication For Orencia Injection
Question: I'd like to know if I should continue to take Orencia injections, which are very expensive & may not be doing any good. We have no rheumatologist anywhere in the area.
Brief Answer:
Orencia Injections
Detailed Answer:
Good evening..
Thank you for writing on Health care magic
Well, I would like to know a few more details about your condition before I can guide you further:
1. I believe you have Rheumatoid arthritis...What was the reason for starting Orencia...DId you have intolerance to oral medications or they were ineffective?
2. What were the oral medicines you were taking and how much maximum dose was tried?
3. How many injections of Orencia have you taken yet??How many doses every month??
4. How is your joint condition now...??Pain/swelling/stiffness?
DO let me know these queries. Would guide you further from here..
Biological drugs like orencia, we only use for short while to help control the disease. In our country patient pays for themselves,so we normally dont use it beyond 3-6 months..The goal is to try using oral drugs. I thought Government pays for these drugs at your place..If you have to pay, it is quite expensive..
DO let me know these queries.
Would guide you further from here
Regards
Dr Naval
Orencia Injections
Detailed Answer:
Good evening..
Thank you for writing on Health care magic
Well, I would like to know a few more details about your condition before I can guide you further:
1. I believe you have Rheumatoid arthritis...What was the reason for starting Orencia...DId you have intolerance to oral medications or they were ineffective?
2. What were the oral medicines you were taking and how much maximum dose was tried?
3. How many injections of Orencia have you taken yet??How many doses every month??
4. How is your joint condition now...??Pain/swelling/stiffness?
DO let me know these queries. Would guide you further from here..
Biological drugs like orencia, we only use for short while to help control the disease. In our country patient pays for themselves,so we normally dont use it beyond 3-6 months..The goal is to try using oral drugs. I thought Government pays for these drugs at your place..If you have to pay, it is quite expensive..
DO let me know these queries.
Would guide you further from here
Regards
Dr Naval
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I started it a numbr of years ago (over 5 & less than 10) when my hands & wrists were swelling & very painful & my then rheumatologist was afraid that I might become unable to use them I was taking Methotrexate (still am) & wearied other biologics & we felt they did no good. I take one injection per month. Generally it is my right hand & wrist which have swelling & pain, & my right hand is increasingly difficult to use, but I have occasionally experiences swelling in my right elbow as well. I have had RA since I was 18, so much of my problem is due to the many years of it, but it did get worse as I said above. I am currently also taking a fairly small dose of Prednisone & naproxyn& all these together do help with the pain & stiffness.I'm not sure what you mean by "oral drugs,"& most of the cost is borne by my insurance, but I don't want them to pay if it's not doing much good.
I took too long to reply, but if you have access to my earlier answer you'll know that we tried Orencia because other things were ineffective. I take one injection per month but have been on it for quite a few years. I have some pain & stiffness in hands & spine & shoulders, but the main problem is the relatively new swelling in my right hand which is increasingly making it difficult to use my right hand.
I do take some oral medicines, including Prednisone, Naproxen, & Methotrexate.
My insurance does cover most of the cost, but I don't want them to waste taxpayer money if it's not doing any good.
I don't know how long to wait for a reply, but I am getting quite unconfortable sitting by my computer.
I took too long to reply, but if you have access to my earlier answer you'll know that we tried Orencia because other things were ineffective. I take one injection per month but have been on it for quite a few years. I have some pain & stiffness in hands & spine & shoulders, but the main problem is the relatively new swelling in my right hand which is increasingly making it difficult to use my right hand.
I do take some oral medicines, including Prednisone, Naproxen, & Methotrexate.
My insurance does cover most of the cost, but I don't want them to waste taxpayer money if it's not doing any good.
I don't know how long to wait for a reply, but I am getting quite unconfortable sitting by my computer.
Brief Answer:
Orencia Course
Detailed Answer:
good evening
Well, that s a fairly long time to be on one biological drug...But Yes, I feel it has reached it s saturation and is not having any good effect on you. It does happen at times, that the body develops antibodies, to which the drug stops responding ..The effect wears off and it is not as effective as it used to be...and hence you need to either switch the drug which a different mechanism of action or give it a break for a short while
Since you are experiencing swelling of your hands and elbows, it is not proving to be any effective..
1. I would suggest you stop the drug and consult your rheumatologist. Maybe if insurance covers, you can switch to Rituximab in the next dose...It is 2 doses only..15 days apart...and will provide better benefit
2. For now, you can take intra articular injections in the wrist and elbows if it is still swollen. They will give you immediate relief.
3. Oral drug: We normally use a combination of Leflunomide + Methotrexate. The combination is quite effective for better control. So incase you havent tried this medicine, it is worth a shot...
4. I hope you are not on naproxen daily..As we lose the purpose of other medicines then
Hope the information was useful. Do let me know for more queries
Sorry for late reply..But have my shift starting now..Will try to reply As soon as i can...
Regards
Dr Naval
Orencia Course
Detailed Answer:
good evening
Well, that s a fairly long time to be on one biological drug...But Yes, I feel it has reached it s saturation and is not having any good effect on you. It does happen at times, that the body develops antibodies, to which the drug stops responding ..The effect wears off and it is not as effective as it used to be...and hence you need to either switch the drug which a different mechanism of action or give it a break for a short while
Since you are experiencing swelling of your hands and elbows, it is not proving to be any effective..
1. I would suggest you stop the drug and consult your rheumatologist. Maybe if insurance covers, you can switch to Rituximab in the next dose...It is 2 doses only..15 days apart...and will provide better benefit
2. For now, you can take intra articular injections in the wrist and elbows if it is still swollen. They will give you immediate relief.
3. Oral drug: We normally use a combination of Leflunomide + Methotrexate. The combination is quite effective for better control. So incase you havent tried this medicine, it is worth a shot...
4. I hope you are not on naproxen daily..As we lose the purpose of other medicines then
Hope the information was useful. Do let me know for more queries
Sorry for late reply..But have my shift starting now..Will try to reply As soon as i can...
Regards
Dr Naval
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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