      
 |
In a small number of cases, certain arthritis drugs have been associated with serious nervous system problems, according to a recent report from researchers at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and elsewhere in Washington, DC.
They recommend that patients receiving Enbrel (etanercept) or Remicade (infliximab) be monitored by their physicians for neurologic symptoms such as confusion, numbness, changes in vision and difficulty walking.
These symptoms are suggestive of demyelination, or the loss of myelin, the fatty sheath that coats nerve fibers and helps nerves function. A familiar example of a demyelinating disease is multiple sclerosis, in which degeneration of nerve cells results in symptoms ranging from numbness and muscle weakness to paralysis.
If neurologic symptoms appear in a patient taking Enbrel or Remicade, the drug should be discontinued immediately, the researchers advise in a recent issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism. The patient should be referred to a neurologist for a thorough examination, they say.
In interviews with Reuters Health, spokespeople for Enbrel's maker Immunex, and Centocor, the maker of Remicade, emphasized that demyelinating disease is a rare complication of therapy with these two drugs. The companies have known about this complication for over a year, and a warning about it appears on their drug packaging and Web sites.
AA-Accident Attorneys, P.L.C. has represented numerous victims of toxic chemical injuries, and is uniquely qualified to assist you discovering the cause of potentially latent toxic poisoning. Many toxic chemical injuries don't manifest themselves for some time after exposure, making the competent investigation of the cause of the subjective complaints extremely important.
Disclaimer: This website is dedicated to providing public information regarding dangerous drug injuries, big-rig accidents, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, dog bites, nursing home negligence, insurance bad faith, product liability, amusement park accidents, toxic chemical deaths, slip and fall injuries and other legal information. AA Accident Attorneys, PLC curently serving in the following cities and counties: Santa Clara, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Pasadena, Orange County, Temecula, Palmdale, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Marin, Placer, Sacramento, San Mateo, El Cajon and Las Vegas, Nevada. None of the information on this site is intended to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Please contact a personal injury lawyer for information regarding your particular case.
|   |  |