What is hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc, Synvisc One), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? What is hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc, Synvisc One)? Hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc, Synvisc One) is an injectable fluid that is used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis in which the joints of …
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What is anakinra? Anakinra (Kineret) is a synthetic (man-made), injectable, interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of human interleukin-1. It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Is anakinra available as a generic drug? No Why is anakinra prescribed to patients? Anakinra is used for treating the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in …
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What is infliximab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Infliximab is an antibody administered intravenously that is used for treating several chronic inflammatory diseases. Infliximab works by blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), a substance made by cells of the body which has an important role in promoting inflammation. There are two other injectable …
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What is hyaluronate injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hyaluronic acid is a natural chemical that is found in almost all species of animal and in various parts of the human body. It works as a biological lubricant, reducing friction between adjacent tissues. It is present in high amounts in joints and synovial fluid (the fluid that …
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What is secukinumab? What is secukinumab used for? Secukinumab is an injectable biologic drug that suppresses the immune system and is used for the treatment of psoriasis. It is an antibody that binds to interleukin 17A (IL-17A), a chemical produced by cells in the body that stimulates immune reactions. Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by an increase in the …
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What is auranofin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Auranofin is an oral, gold-containing chemical (salt) used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Other gold salts available are injectable and include aurothioglucose (Solganal) and gold sodium thiomalate (Myochrysine). It is not well understood exactly how gold salts work. In patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, …
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What is belimumab? What is belimumab used for? Belimumab is a synthetic (man-made) injectable antibody that reduces the activity of immune cells called B-cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and causes inflammation. Parts of the body affected by SLE include the …
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What is probenecid, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Probenecid is an oral drug used for reducing blood uric acid levels in patients with hyperuricemia (high uric acid) and/or. High uric acid can cause attacks of gout and kidney stones. Probenecid prevents attacks of gout by reducing uric acid levels in the blood. It does this by preventing …
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What is aurothiomalate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Gold sodium thiomalate is a gold-containing chemical (salt) used in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Other gold salts available include injectable aurothioglucose (Solganal) and oral auranofin (Ridaura). It is not well understood exactly how gold salts work. In patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts …
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What is certolizumab? What is certolizumab used for? Certolizumab is an injectable synthetic (man-made) protein antibody that binds to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the body and blocks the effects of TNFα in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel) are two other injectable drugs that block TNFα. Inflammation is the body's reaction to …
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