Resource Hub Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am... Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic... About NRAS Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type... Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article Leflunomide Leflunomide is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) developed specifically to control inflammatory arthritis. DMARDs act slowly, over weeks and months. Leflunomide is a prodrug, which means that it is inactive until it is taken. It is changed into the active drug inside the person’s own body. The overactive immune system in RA causes pain, swelling, heat […] Article ‘My Story’ animation Article Anti-TNFs Background The anti-TNF drugs were the first of the biologic drugs to be introduced for RA, starting with infliximab, in 1999. They are expensive to develop and produce therefore had to go through appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), who determine whether or not such new medicines are cost effective […] Article Tocilizumab and sarilumab Original Biologic drug Method of administration Tocilizumab intravenous infusion, once every 4 weeks or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection Sarilumab subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every other week How does it work? As with other biologic drugs, tocilizumab and sarilumab work by targeting proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammation caused by […] Article Abatacept Original Biologic drug Biosimilars (up-to-date at time of writing) Method of administration Abatacept (Orencia) N/A Monthly intravenous infusion or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection How does it work? As with other biologic drugs, Abatacept works by targeting proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammation caused by the immune system’s response. In the […] Article Royal College of Nursing and NHS England briefing on biologics In the last 12 months, we have also been working on the NHSE Adalimumab Patient Working Panel regarding the introduction of Humira biosimilars (4 came to market end 2019). It has come to our notice that not all specialist nurses and allied health professionals are aware of or have seen the NHSE Briefing on Best […] Article Biosimilar adalimumab is a test of shared decision making in the NHS Co-written by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, RNIB, Birdshot Uveitis Society, Psoriasis Association and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Adalimumab is one of several biological drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, non-infectious posterior uveitis, Crohn’s and colitis. While some patients will […] Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe. […] Article Live vaccines Nasal flu vaccines NRAS had an enquiry about the “nasal” spray flu vaccine that is being rolled out in schools to children which prompted us to ask some of our medical advisors for some guidance. The concern is that the “nasal” vaccine is a live vaccine, and of course, these are not recommended for children or young […] Load more ↓
Article Leflunomide Leflunomide is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) developed specifically to control inflammatory arthritis. DMARDs act slowly, over weeks and months. Leflunomide is a prodrug, which means that it is inactive until it is taken. It is changed into the active drug inside the person’s own body. The overactive immune system in RA causes pain, swelling, heat […]
Article Anti-TNFs Background The anti-TNF drugs were the first of the biologic drugs to be introduced for RA, starting with infliximab, in 1999. They are expensive to develop and produce therefore had to go through appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), who determine whether or not such new medicines are cost effective […]
Article Tocilizumab and sarilumab Original Biologic drug Method of administration Tocilizumab intravenous infusion, once every 4 weeks or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection Sarilumab subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every other week How does it work? As with other biologic drugs, tocilizumab and sarilumab work by targeting proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammation caused by […]
Article Abatacept Original Biologic drug Biosimilars (up-to-date at time of writing) Method of administration Abatacept (Orencia) N/A Monthly intravenous infusion or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection How does it work? As with other biologic drugs, Abatacept works by targeting proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammation caused by the immune system’s response. In the […]
Article Royal College of Nursing and NHS England briefing on biologics In the last 12 months, we have also been working on the NHSE Adalimumab Patient Working Panel regarding the introduction of Humira biosimilars (4 came to market end 2019). It has come to our notice that not all specialist nurses and allied health professionals are aware of or have seen the NHSE Briefing on Best […]
Article Biosimilar adalimumab is a test of shared decision making in the NHS Co-written by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, RNIB, Birdshot Uveitis Society, Psoriasis Association and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Adalimumab is one of several biological drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, non-infectious posterior uveitis, Crohn’s and colitis. While some patients will […]
Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe. […]
Article Live vaccines Nasal flu vaccines NRAS had an enquiry about the “nasal” spray flu vaccine that is being rolled out in schools to children which prompted us to ask some of our medical advisors for some guidance. The concern is that the “nasal” vaccine is a live vaccine, and of course, these are not recommended for children or young […]