Canadian Pharmacy News and Newsletters

Arthritis

Drug Combo Improves Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis - July 16, 2008

According to the Arthritis Foundation, some 1.3 million Americans live with rheumatoid arthritis, thought to be an autoimmune disease. The disease involves inflammation of the joints which can lead to both pain and disability. There is no cure for the condition, although several drugs can provide relief.
More than 500 outpatients who had not previously tried methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug, were randomly selected to receive either methotrexate alone (with the dosage increasing regularly) or methotrexate plus 50 milligrams a week of Enbrel.

New Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Leaves 50 Percent of Recent Onset Patients Symptom –free within 36 weeks - June 16, 2008

At least 50% of recent onset rheumatoid arthritis patients achieve remission (a state free of signs and symptoms) within 36 weeks when following a systematic approach of step-up DMARD treatment in combination with tight control, according to results of a study presented June 11 at EULAR 2008, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, France. Results of this study indicate that achieving remission is not only possible during clinical trials but can be a realistic goal of standard clinical care.

Vet’s Stem Cell Work May Lead to Human Treatments  - May 21, 2008

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, limiting the activities of more than 46 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The CDC estimates the ailment costs $81 billion in medical care and $47 billion in lost earnings per year, with the total cost, $128 billion, equaling 1.2 percent of the 2003 U.S. gross domestic product.

Drug switch may benefit arthritis patients - August 31, 2007

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who fail to respond to one of the biological drugs will often have a better response to a second drug within the same class, Danish researchers report in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Arthritis pain: Do's and don'ts - August 15, 2007

Will physical activity help or hinder your arthritis pain? A Mayo Clinic specialist answers this and other common questions about arthritis pain and arthritis symptoms.

Health Canada expands use of new COX-2 inhibitor - July 25, 2007

Prexige now available to patients suffering from osteoarthritis in any joint.

Antioxidants may help protect against arthritis - July 23, 2007

Eating foods with antioxidants may help protect you from the bone changes associated with arthritis.

Fact about Arthritis - July 6, 2007

Rheumatoid arthritis is a fairly common joint disease that affects up to 2 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis. It can cause joint pain, deformities, and severe joint stiffness. In the past, many people with this disease were confined to a wheelchair. It is three times more common in women than in men.