HUMIORA is a brand name of a medicine whose Generic Name is ADALIMUMAB.
Drug Class And Mechanism: Adalimumab is an injectable protein that blocks the inflammatory effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in rheumatoid arthritis. Two other injectable drugs--infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept (Enbrel)--also block TNF alpha. Inflammation is the body's reaction to injury and is a necessary process for the repair of injury. TNF is a protein that the body produces when there is inflammation. The TNF promotes inflammation and the signs of inflammation, which, in the case of arthritis, include fever as well as pain, tenderness, and swelling of joints. The unchecked inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis eventually leads to destruction of the joints. Adalimumab is a synthetic (man-made) protein, similar to human protein, that binds to TNF in the body and thereby blocks the effects of TNF. As a result, inflammation and fever as well as the pain, tenderness and swelling of joints are reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, the progressive destruction of the joints is slowed or prevented. Adalimumab was approved by the FDA in December, 2002.-
2007-02-16 02:34:09
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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