Re: Re: Orencia less toxic vs safer?

[Guest guest]

Hello , ,

Yes , this does seem  a connundrum first off. I guess as you suggested it is

very difficult to fairly compare these two drugs, and their toxicity/s safety

profiles, but I think what the doc meant would be.... Yes, generally

methotrexate has a good safe and long track record,( the 'baseline  gold

standard DMARD to which other newer and combination treatments are

compared).Long term safety good, yes, in general,  but toxicity  (troublesome

side effects) often a problem, as or before an effective dose response is

reached, meaning it has to be stopped or dose reduced so disease control is not

maximal .

Orencia as a biologic, is generally well tolerated (perhaps not so many

unnacceptable side effects to the patient) but has a potential for some

considerably greater risks of serious infections and possibly rarely other

serious complications. As a newer drug there will be less known of any

hypothetical long term risks, although this data base is gradually building.

Hence that doctor's caution.Everyone has a different attitude  to risks versus

benefits, there is no right or wrong answer here.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

Chris

retired doc UK

[ ] Re: new here

i don't understand the difference - if it's less toxic wouldn't it be safer?

,

 Orencia, he says less toxic, not

safer, now I have to figure out which one is better, safer or less

toxic, gee, the lesser of two evils. mary

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