Adalimumab Health Dictionary

  1. Health Encyclopedia
  2. Adalimumab

Adalimumab: From 1 Different Sources

n. a *cytokine inhibitor used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. It can predispose to infections, and patients should be carefully monitored.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Cytokine Inhibitor

(cytokine modulator) any one of a group of agents that inhibit the activity of cytokines, especially *tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?). They include *infliximab, *etanercept, and *adalimumab, known as anti-TNF drugs, which are used as *disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and to treat inflammatory bowel disease.... cytokine inhibitor

Psoriasis

n. a chronic disease in which scaly pink patches form on the elbows, knees, scalp, and other parts of the body. Psoriasis is one of the commonest skin diseases in Britain, affecting about 2% of the population, although many mild cases are undiagnosed. The most common time of onset is in adolescence. It may occur in association with arthritis (see psoriatic arthritis), and severe psoriasis is associated with a higher risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The disease may be very severe, affecting much of the skin and causing considerable disability and psychological stress. Psoriasis is partly of genetic origin with polygenic influences. Exacerbations of psoriasis may be associated with streptococcal infection and drugs such as lithium and beta blockers.

There is no cure, but first-line treatments include *coal tar, *dithranol, and topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues (e.g. *calcipotriol). Narrow-band UVB or *PUVA can also be effective as can systemic therapies, such as *methotrexate, *retinoids, and *ciclosporin. Biological treatments, such as *infliximab, *adalimumab, and *etanercept, are potent but expensive.... psoriasis


Health encyclopedia icon Health Encyclopedia

Recent Searches