Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group enbrel vs. humira

Is there really a big difference between the two?

Christopher






"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

mothra vs godzilla

Uh-oh, Ben, rubber suits... again?

There was a recent change with Enbrel from two injections to one per dosing, so less difference now than previously.

There is a somewhat greater chance of some reaction to Enbrel, e.g., site reactions, than to Humira.

In terms of effectiveness, really, it it too soon to tell. There yet has been any head-to-head comparisons between the anti-TNF.

Best regards,

jcwinnie



Edited after Ninbot re-education

Edited by jcwinnie on 01/27/05 10:00 AM (server time).

Re-edited after Ninbot re-re-education

Edited by jcwinnie on 01/27/05 02:22 PM (server time).

Enbrel and Humira are both TNF-alpha inhibitors, but work slightly differently - Humira is a monoclonal antibody, while Enbrel is a receptor fusion protein. Enbrel only binds soluble TNF-alpha, while Humira (and Remicade) bind both soluble and membrane-bound TNF-alpha.

Unlike Remicade, both Enbrel and Humira are entirely human and contain no mouse proteins.

I am currently on Humira, although I've tried all three of them, and noticed better results with Humira (and Remicade) than with Enbrel. Conversely, I've heard of people having better results from Enbrel than from Remicade or Humira and vice versa.

Some info from http://www.enbrel.com

“ENBREL is a genetically engineered soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor that supplements the body’s regulatory process by inhibiting TNF. ENBREL is fully human, made from the fusion of two naturally occurring soluble human 75-kilodalton TNF receptors linked to an Fc portion of an Ig-G1.”

http://www.humira.com
“HUMIRA is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for
human TNF. HUMIRA was created using phage display technology resulting in
an antibody with human-derived heavy and light chain variable regions and human
IgG1:k constant regions.”

Christopher, different people react in different ways to medications. Some will have better results on the Enbrel than the Humira and vice versa. It depends on your make up, I guess.

You thinking about starting one of them?

Hugs,

Kat



"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

Im still undecided if I should start enbrel or not. I Have four injections in the fridge, but Im apprehensive. My General pratitioner said that she was going to put her daughter on it for JRA but didnt like the fact that there is a small risk of developing lynphoma. At the time being I am able to walk around with less pain and can sleep on my back, in a bed using indocin and amitriptyline. My chest expansion isnt very good, but I smoke which I know isnt good for AS overall. My neck is slowly fusing and the bottom of my spine is fusing pretty fast. Its the progression that I would like to slow down, but im 27 and dont know if its worth the risk because eventually my spine will fuse anyway.

Thanks for the responses

Christopher






"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

Chris, I remember one of our members telling me that she assessed the risk of a drug she was put on by looking at the actual percentage and then comparing it to the possibility of being hit by a bus (for example). In her case, the chances of her being hit by a bus were greater than the chances of death in taking the med in question.

So, that's one way of looking at it.

Yes, you're going to fuse anyway, but if you can put it off at all, regain some mobility and have a better quality of life before that happens, and if the risk of lymphatic cancer is smaller than the risk of some other way of dying that we are exposed to every day, it might be worth it.

Certainly, many folk here have had extremely good results with the enbrel. Ultimately, however, the only person's opinion that matters is your own.

Hugs,

Kat



"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

Another factor that muddies the waters with these drugs (Humira, Enbrel, Remicade) is that they all seem to have a (albeit rare) side effect of developing lymphoma - - but just having an autoimmune illness raises the odds of developing lymphoma, so how much (or if) these drugs contribute can be difficult to assess. I am currently still on Arava but it's slowly (after 3 years of good results) losing its punch, so getting close to time to move on to Enbrel or Humira, and yep, I'm scared too, but I have enjoyed the "other side" of the coin for 3 years now and the idea of going back to living with chronic pain and seeing my world shrink is simply not an option so guess I'll have to bite the bullet sooner or later. I have had no new damage to my spine or joints since going on Arava, it managed to halt the fusing process, and don't relish the thought of losing mobility again.

Cheryl


My guy

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. Author Unknown

Hi Christopher,

It is a difficult and very individual decision to make, but is made even harder when the facts are not clear. It is my understanding that the small risk of developing lymphoma has been noted in RA patients taking biologics meds, which would explain your GP's hesitation for her child with JRA.

However, I do not believe that there is evidence to date suggesting this is true with AS patients taking biologics, although there is nothing to say that this same risk won't come to light in future. I think I heard somewhere that RA has some small association to lymphomas irregardless of biologics meds, and that same predisposition is not true of AS. Please note that I am not at all certain if I'm remembering this info correctly, so it is worth discussing with your doc, since accuracy in assessing risk is so important in deciding your own comfort level.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

mig

Hi Cheryl,

It's great to hear that you had a wonderful time in South America with your new beau. I was sorry to hear, though, that Arava seems to be losing it's punch. I was under the impression that Arava didn't halt the fusing process and that you were concerned this past summer about your SI joint fusing. Are you leaning toward Humira or Enbrel as your next option?

Cat


Hazel Lytton