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FRANK PUCINO, JR., PHARM.D., BCPS, FDPGEC, FASHP, is Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Team Leader, Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor, Howard University College of Pharmacy, Washington, DC. PHYLLIS TISH HARBUS is Medical Writer, Editor, Editorial Consultant, New York, NY. RAPHAELA GOLDBACH-MANSKY, M.D., MHS, is Clinical Investigator, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Address correspondence to Dr. Pucino at 2300 4th Street NW, Washington, DC 20059 (fpucinojr{at}yahoo.com).

Purpose. The pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and costs of biologic agents that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration or are under review for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are discussed. Biologic therapies that are currently under investigation in early- and late-phase clinical trials are summarized at the end of this report. Summary. The use of biologic agents for the treatment of RA has significantly improved the management of this disease. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that these agents ameliorate the signs and symptoms of RA, slow radiographic progression of disease, and improve physical function and quality of life. Data also support that early initiation of therapy with these agents improves long-term outcomes. However, biologic agents are associated with adverse effects that health care providers need to recognize and manage. Conclusion. Biologic agents have revolutionized the treatment of RA by reducing the signs and symptoms of RA, slowing radiographic progression of joint destruction, and improving physical function and quality of life in affected patients. Index terms: Arthritis; Biologicals; Costs; Quality of life; Toxicity

 

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