Question
My rheumatologist told me that my RA is still very active and he was concerned about my hands and feet due to the swelling. My next appointment is in August and he wants me to start Enbrel. I am already on NSAID, MTX, Prednisone and Plaquenil. Are there any medications that are biological and don’t have to me injected?
Answer
No. For the treatment of RA, biologic agents are proteins that are either copies of proteins found normally in the body that control inflammation or antibody proteins that specifically bind and eliminate other proteins that are causing inflammation. If taken orally, your stomach would chew up these biologic agents, much like it would a steak. It would indeed be an expensive protein meal.
So biologic agents at the present time must be given by self-injection of by intravenous infusion.
