Humira for treatment of Crohn's

sondra52 · 06-28-2007, 12:20 PM

My son's girlfriend has Crohn's, and her Dr. is suggesting either Remicade for treatment, or he's really leaning towards Humira (which I guess is still experimental for treatment of Crohn's). Both are extremely expensive, but after reading information on side effects of Remicade, they say it can't be taken long term as they don't know long term effects, and the Humira side effects sound pretty severe. Is anyone familiar with either of those treatments for Crohn's? Thanks!

hllspawn99 · 07-01-2007, 06:50 PM

Humira and Remacade are pretty intense drugs, usually used for the most severe crohn's. I have had crohns for about 4 years and I take pentasa, which is a mild moderate crohns drug...pentasa is in a family of drugs called mesalamines. Above that is milder immune suppresive drugs that try to calm the inflammation, like imetrex and a few others. If these don't work they move on to the heavier immunosuppressents, like Humira and Remacade. Usually, these are only used when the other drugs have not worked. Hope this helped...ask anything else is you need.

sondra52 · 07-02-2007, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the information. Her Dr. is supposedly the best one we have here in the City we live, but after I read the side effects of both Humira and Remicade, it scares me to see her go on either. But she hasn't responded to the other treatments, I guess. I'll have to ask her if she's tried the ones that you mentioned. The Humira would be approx. $2000/mo, and $3000/mo for the Remicade! That's ridiculous, but the side effects, and that the Humira is experimental, is the thing that scares me. Like I said, I'll ask her if she's tried the ones you mentioned. Thanks again for the response. I have IBS, but I sure don't envy you dealing with the Crohn's!

lodgen · 07-03-2007, 01:06 AM

i have crohn's and been on remicade and its ability to put crohn's in
remission out way its side effects,been on it for about a year and i perfer
it over humira. i got good results after the second transfusion and my
treatment is every 12 weeks now and i am in remission. its expensive
but it works and surgery is the only other option.if you doctor is already
indicating these drugs the other will not work and the most critical thing is
to not let your condition continue for a long period of time, it will get worse
and you will end up having more complications.the expense it high but the
objective is worth it to me,hopefully i will keep me in total remission so i could avoid any surgery.

sondra52 · 07-04-2007, 01:48 AM

Thanks, Lodgen, for the info. I know she's already had about 1 1/2' of her intestine removed. For some reason, I know the Dr. is really leaning towards the Humira, so she is, too. From what I'd read, and I realize everybody reacts differently to medications and treatments, the Remacade sounded at least like more studies had been done on it, and that it had been used for treatment of Crohn's, and that Humira is experimental. You're definitely right in the fact that the cost is worth it if the results are positive. I'm happy that your Crohn's is in remission, and I will pass this information on to her! Prayers to you that yours stays in remission!