Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Enbrel vs Remicade

Does anyone here have a handle on the differences between Enbrel and Remicade vis a vis outcomes? I know Remicade is a three hour infusion every eight weeks and that Ebrel is a sub-cutaneous injection twice (or sometimes three) times a week.

Do they both actually stop the progression of AS? Do they work only as long as you take them or is there a period after which you can stop taking them? What -- if any -- are the known side effects of the two drugs? Good points? Bad points?

I am looking for any and all information people may have about these two drugs.

TIA

Adam Rodman

Adam,
I can only speak about Remicade. I have had 4 treatments and noticed results from the onset. My labs show a drastic reduction in inflammation, and I feel good. I get my infusion at home. A nurse comes right to the house and we just sit and talk, and watch TV. Its not a bad deal. Side effects have been minimal. Only slight cold like symptoms for a few days after a treatment. But I can live with a little cough and congestion, when I'm pretty much pain free..

That's my viewpoint.
Chris

Hi Adam,
I've had Remicade in the past and unlike Chris, it hasn't done anything for me except the cold like symptoms after an injection.
I'm presently on Enbrel (5wks now) and it seems to be working quite good. The pain in my legs have almost completely disappeared and I can turn my head to either side without turning my shoulders. My spine and ribcage are still hurting but much less. I've had no side effects at all. I was just told that if my temperature goes up, I have to go to the hospital.
Hope this little bit of information helps.
mars

After a year of Enbrel I can say that it decreases the stiffness in my lower back butdoes not decrease pain.I could not reach around my backside before using it.It is kind of difficult if you have to take a dump at work and can't give yourself a reach around. I have gone off it for periods because of persistant cold sore outbreaks. It always starts improving the low back stiffness problem when I resume injecting it.I hate sticking that needle in me twice a week but it usually does not hurt.Dr. Davis of the UC San Francisco clinical trial for AS/Enbrel told me last week that he is trying to get the results published in "The New England Journal Of Medicine".
Kev

Hi Adam

My son Eric has been on Enbrel for just over a year. The results were instant. He has had no problems with the AS from the first shot. He has had no side effects at all. And Mars, the doctor just takes him off for a week if he gets a fever. I guess he is one of the lucky ones!

Lori

A dog will come when called, a cat will take a message and get back to you later.

Dear Adam:

Sorry to take so long to get to you with this, and I don't want to scare you away from Remicade--there are side effects to everything--but if you have a choice, I would go for the Enbrel.

http://www.mercola.com/2001/oct/20/infliximab.htm

Best Regards,
John