WeArePsoriasis.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Psoriasis

The manufacturer of a drug for the treatment of psoriasis has issued new safety information for doctors and patients.EMD Serono Canada says the drug Raptiva has been associated with a risk of serious infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare and sometimes fatal brain disorder.Raptiva suppresses the body's immune response to reduce psoriasis inflammation; however, the company says that by diminishing the body's natural defence system, it can also increase the risk of serious infections in some patients.Signs and symptoms of PML may include difficulty thinking, walking or speaking, or other behavioural changes, weakness, loss of balance or co-ordination, visual...

Patches of thick, inflamed skin covered with silvery scales form here and there on the patient's body, often on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. They usually itch or feel sore, and the more of the patches there are, generally, the worse the person suffers.And because psoriasis is a genetic condition that causes inflammation by striking at the immune system, it can have other health effects. An estimated 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/enbrel.html Generic Name: etanercept (ee TAN er sept)Brand Names: Enbrel, Enbrel SureClickWhat is etanercept?Etanercept works by decreasing a certain protein produced by the immune system. The immune system helps the body fight infections. In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakes the body's own cells for invaders and attacks them.Etanercept is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions. It is also used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old.Etanercept is...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/soriatane.html Generic Name: Acitretin (A-si-TRE-tin)Brand Name: SoriataneSoriatane causes severe birth defects. Do not take Soriatane if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant during therapy or at any time within 3 years after you stop taking Soriatane . Women who are able to become pregnant should use Soriatane only if they are unable to use other medicines to treat psoriasis or if they have severe psoriasis that is not helped by other medicines.The Do Your P.A.R.T. (Pregnancy Prevention Actively Required During and After Treatment) program provides information about the serious risks associated with Soriatane . It also...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/amevive.html Generic Name: Alefacept for Intravenous Injection (a-LE-fa-sept)Brand Name: AmeviveAmevive is used for:Treating moderate to severe psoriasis.Amevive is an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing the activity of immune cells and decreasing the rate of skin cell multiplication.Do NOT use Amevive if:    * you are allergic to any ingredient in Amevive    * you are taking a medicine that can suppress your immune system (eg, cancer chemotherapy, prednisone, cyclosporine)    * if you have or are at high risk of developing tumorsContact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.Before using Amevive :Some medical conditions...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/raptiva.html Generic Name: Efalizumab (e-fa-li-ZOO-mab)Brand Name: RaptivaRaptiva is used for:Treating chronic, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.Raptiva is an immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody. It works by increasing the presence of T lymphocytes in areas of inflammation, which reduces the skin problems associated with plaque psoriasis.Do NOT use Raptiva if:    * you are allergic to any ingredient in Raptiva    * you have a tumor, a low blood platelet count, or a severe infection    * you are breast-feedingContact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.Before using Raptiva :Some medical conditions may interact with Raptiva ....

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/tazarotene-gel.html Generic Name: Tazarotene Gel 0.1% (taz-AR-oh-teen)Brand Name: TazoracTazarotene Gel is used for:Treating psoriasis and acne. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.Tazarotene Gel is a retinoid. The specific way Tazarotene Gel works is not completely understood. It may decrease skin inflammation and skin changes associated with psoriasis.Do NOT use Tazarotene Gel if:    * you are allergic to any ingredient in Tazarotene Gel    * you are pregnantContact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.Before using Tazarotene Gel:Some medical conditions may interact with Tazarotene Gel. Tell...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/humira.html Generic Name: Adalimumab (a-da-LIM-ue-mab)Brand Name: HumiraHumira can decrease your immune system's ability to fight infections. Humira also has been shown to worsen tuberculosis (TB). Before beginning therapy with Humira , you should have a TB skin test to check for TB that may not be causing any symptoms.Humira is used for:Reducing signs and symptoms, preventing bone damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not had a good response to other arthritis medicines. It can be used alone or with other medicines.Humira is a TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-blocker. It works by...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/remicade.html Generic Name: infliximab (in FLIX ih mab)Brand Names: RemicadeWhat is Remicade?Remicade reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.Remicade is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. It is also used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin).Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective.Remicade may also be used for other purposes not listed.Important information about RemicadeBefore you start treatment with Remicade, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other...

Original Article: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/methotrexate.html Generic Name: methotrexate (meth oh TREX ate)Brand names: Rheumatrex Dose Pack, Trexall, Folex PFS, Methotrexate Sodium, Preservative FreeWhat is the most important information I should know about methotrexate?Methotrexate can cause serious or life-threatening side effects on your liver, lungs, kidneys, and bone marrow (immune system). Do not take this medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not use methotrexate to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you have liver disease (especially if caused by alcoholism), a blood cell or bone marrow disorder, or if you are...