5. Biologics are the newest class of drugs being used to treat IBD and include Remicade®, Humira®, Cimzia®, and Tysabri®. These are the last line of defense drugs. They are called biologics because they are made, or engineerer, from living organisms such as genes, antibodies, and proteins. The purpose of the biologic drugs is to interfere with the body’s inflammatory response by targeting specific molecular players. This allows these drugs to target specific enzymes and proteins unlike steroids which suppress or block the whole immune system.
As with any medications there can be side effects of any of the above mentioned drugs. It is important to discuss the treatment options thoroughly with your doctor and to bring up any concerns or side effects once you have started a treatment program.
Next week I’ll continue the discussion of “What’s next after an IBD diagnosis” by focusing on how diet changes and stress reduction are also an integral part of your treatment.
(To read about my personal experience with IBD read my book, Living with IBD & IBS: A Personal Journey of Success – www.ibdandibs.com)
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