Osteoarthritis meds in Canada

Canadian government insists on stronger warnings about dangers.

Amplify’d from www.altmeds.com

Canada strengthens warnings on arthritis meds

OTTAWA -- Stronger warnings will be added to labelling of certain drugs used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, such as those sold under the brand names of Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira, because of an increased risk of cancer in children and young adults, Health Canada said Thursday. The decision follows a similar move earlier this month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which concluded there is an increased risk of lymphoma and other cancers in children and adolescents taking a class of drugs known as tumour necrosis factor blockers. Health Canada said it has also been reviewing data on TNF blockers and is working with manufacturers to strengthen warnings in prescribing information for the medications. TNF blockers are used to treat such chronic inflammatory diseases as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis). The medications suppress the activity of tumour necrosis factor. When overproduced in the body, this protein can cause inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and tissue, and lead to immune system-related diseases. However, the exact role of TNF blockers in the development of cancer is not known. Five prescription TNF blockers are authorized for use in Canada: Enbrel (etancercept), Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Simponi (golimumab) and Cimzia (certolizumab pegol). Health Canada says patients should not stop taking their TNF blocker without consulting their doctor. Source: ctv.ca Read more at www.altmeds.com

 

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