Rheumatoid arthritis affects many people. It can cause amazing discomfort and pain when performing the easiest activities. It can leave you bedridden for days or weeks at a time if not treated correctly. Until 2006, treatments available where few; many consisted of taking higher doses of Advil and Motrin. With the introduction of infusion therapy, this disease could soon become a concern of the past.
What Infusion Treatment Is
Infusion treatment is an effective way to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The cells that cause joints and tissues to swell are called "B cells." These cells are important inflammatory cells with many functions, but, when depleted in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, it dramatically reduces the symptoms caused by the painful joint-swelling condition. The most popular infusion treatment agent is called Rituximab, but methylprednisolone is now being used as well. It effectively and safely depletes the body of B cells, thus preventing the body's initial reaction to swell in joints where B cells would normally be released.
Dosage
Current dosage prescribed by the FDA is 1,000mg given through an IV. This will last anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, and it will be done twice with a 2-week break between sessions. There is an ongoing study dedicated to the dosing of Rituximab, but currently the 2 doses with a 2-week break has proven most effective. These treatments will be done, on average, every 5 to 6 months.
Duration
On average, infusion treatments can last anywhere from 4 to 6 months with the patients being pain free. This means for those months, the patients will not suffer through the pain of everyday activities like opening a door or standing up. Once the effects of the treatment wear off, another 2-dose treatment will be necessary.
Side Effects
For the most part, side effects of infusion treatments are mild. Sometimes, patients have been known to break out in hives, itch, swell and even have difficulty breathing. It is always a good idea to find out from your physician if you are at risk for any of these. Many times, these effects are caused by the first dosage because your body is not used to the B cell depletion yet. The patient's second and third dosages usually alleviate the pain without these adverse effects.
History
In 1986, Rituximab was initially developed to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as it helped with the managing of malignant lymphocytes. Since its inception, it has moved on to treat other conditions like leukemia, multiple sclerosis and, as discussed here, rheumatoid arthritis. Most recently it has been used in helping transplant patients' bodies accept the new organ more willingly.
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