Biologics can change your DNA as biologics have the ability to directly modulate the expression and or the transcription of any existing genes and change the genome through the additional or even alteration of genetic sequences.
Recombinant DNA, an important process for producing biologics, requires isolating the DNA from human cells and potentially modifying that DNA segment, inserting it into bacteria or a mammalian cell, and getting that organism or cell to express it.
Biologics are somewhat safer than methotrexate although both biologics and methotrexate are equally effective medicines.
In trials providing a head to head comparison, methotrexate and biologics were similarly effective as measured by ACR and EULAR response criteria including clinical remission.
In general, improvement started earlier with biologic treatment than with methotrexate therapy.
Biologics are dangerous especially if you have a compromised immune system or other infections as biologics carry a risk of cancer and serious infections.
People who should not take biologics are people who have compromised immune systems or active infections as the biologic medicines suppress your immune system and can be unsafe if your immune system is already compromised.
Biologic medicine means that the medicine is a class of drugs that are produced using a living system, such as a microorganism, plant cell, or animal cell.
In contrast to most drugs that are chemically synthesized and their structure is known, most biologics are complex mixtures that are not easily identified or characterized.
Biologic medicines contain substances that have been created by using living cells or organisms.
Examples of biologic medicines include gene therapies, transplant tissue, recombinant proteins, stem cell therapies, and monoclonal antibodies.
Some common biologic drugs or medicines include.
Lantus (insulin glargine) Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin that people with diabetes sometimes use to control their blood sugar levels.
Humira (adalimumab).
Herceptin (trastuzumab).
Avastin (bevacizumab).
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Biologics are large molecules produced in living cells.
Both help protect against the effects of inflammation, but in different ways.
Conventional DMARDs suppress the overall immune system, whereas biologics block specific parts of the immune system, such as proteins that promote inflammation.
A main side effect of biologic medications is serious infection.
Most likely, these infections are not because of the medications themselves, however, biologic medications change the way your immune works.
Biologics are a type of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug — they modify the immune system in order to slow down disease progression.
However, biologics can come with side effects, which can include a change in weight.
Conditions and diseases that are treated with biologic drugs include.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Psoriasis.
Ankylosing spondylitis.
Crohn's disease.
Multiple sclerosis.
Diabetic retinopathy.
Age-related macular degeneration.
Diabetes.