Tag: Autoimmune diseases

While up to 37% of users experience gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea, the most feared—if less common—complication of hydroxychloroquine is irreversible retinal toxicity,. This distinction between frequent but manageable side effects and rare but serious, life-altering complications is crucial for patients to understand.

In a study on rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission, nearly 58% of those who stopped their biologics experienced a relapse within a year, highlighting the complexities surrounding the question: can you ever get off biologics?. The answer is nuanced, depending heavily on the specific condition, its activity level, and the individual patient's health status.

Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms reported by patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. But **can biologics help with fatigue?** Emerging evidence suggests that for many, the answer is a cautious yes, though the effect is often indirect and varies significantly depending on the underlying condition.

Despite the prevalence of generic medicines, the brand-name biologic Taltz (ixekizumab) currently has no generic version or biosimilar available. This is because Taltz is a complex biologic drug, not a simple chemical compound, which affects its generic and biosimilar development pathway.

According to healthcare prescription data, prednisone is the most common steroid given orally, accounting for a significant percentage of all steroid medications dispensed in the U.S.. Its widespread use is attributed to its broad effectiveness in treating a wide array of conditions, from allergies and asthma to severe autoimmune disorders.

Enbrel is a biologic drug, which means it does not have a traditional generic version, but instead has biosimilars. As of September 2025, no biosimilars for Enbrel are available on the market in the U.S. due to patent decisions, though some have received FDA approval. Patients asking "What is the generic version of Enbrel?" must understand this key distinction to navigate their treatment options and manage costs.

Since the first monoclonal antibody drug was approved in 1986, this class of biologics has revolutionized medicine by offering highly targeted therapies. So, when would you use monoclonal antibodies, and for which conditions is this advanced treatment indicated?

The global market for monoclonal antibody therapies was valued at over $200 billion in 2022, signaling a transformative shift in medicine. These lab-engineered proteins, often called mAbs, provide highly targeted treatments for a vast range of conditions, leaving many to ask: what does mAbs help with?

For organ transplant recipients, cyclosporine is often a lifelong medication to prevent rejection. In stark contrast, individuals with autoimmune conditions like psoriasis are typically recommended shorter treatment courses due to potential long-term side effects.

Enbrel (etanercept) is a potent medication used to treat several autoimmune conditions, but it is not a weight loss drug. According to clinical studies, significant weight changes like loss or gain were not reported as a side effect directly caused by Enbrel.