• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center

Show Search
Hide Search
  • Disease Information
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Gout
    • Osteoporosis
  • Patient Corner
    • Drug Information Sheets
    • Managing Your Arthritis
    • RheumTV – Patient Education Video Library
  • Our Research
    • Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
    • Current Research Studies
    • The Camille Julia Morgan Arthritis Research and Education Fund
  • About Us
    • Appointment Information
    • Contact Us
    • Our Faculty
    • Our Staff
    • Rheumatology Specialty Centers
  • Donate
Home / Ask the Expert / Psoriatic arthritis and TNF inhibitor drugs

Psoriatic arthritis and TNF inhibitor drugs

May 23, 2009 By Arthritis Center

Question

I am 30 and was diagnosed last year with psoriatic arthritis. The arthitis is in my big toes bilat and hands. I have tried methotrexate – it did nothing, Humira – I developed an injection site reaction after 5 mo on it, it was working great but I began having 8 in wide and 1/4 in high welts at the site that itched and burned. I have been off any medication for 3 mo. I am unsure how I should continue, I have very minimal flairs currently compaired to when I was first diagnosed. Do I start another TNF, or do I wait and see? I am an RN and work in ICU. I am concerned of the risks of lowering my immune system VS long term damage? I am worried about the long term effects of the TNF’s?

Answer

It is impossible to assess the risks and benefits of TNF inhibitors for you without seeing you.  But here are some general principles.  You likely need to be on some type of disease modifying agent (DMARD) to control your symptoms and to prevent joint damage.  In both RA and PsA, active swelling in the joint can lead to joint damage over time.  Maintaining function in both work and non-work activities is very important.  TNF inhibitors have been very important medications particularly in those who do not tolerate or respond to methotrexate.  Most patients who have injection site reactions on drugs such as Humira or Enbrel continue on the drug and the reactions lessen.  A few patients need to be switched to another drug.  Options for you include Enbrel, Remicade (IV drug), Simponi ( a newly approved self injectable TNF inhibitor).  There are increased risk of nfections on TNF inhibitors but with careful monitoring patients generally do very well.

Arthritis Center

Founded in 1998, the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins is dedicated to providing quality education to patients and healthcare providers alike.

Primary Sidebar

Ask The Expert Topics

  • Alternative Therapies
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Associated With Other Illnesses
  • Bursitis and Tendinitis
  • Corticosteroids
  • Diet and Exercise
  • Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
  • Enteropathic Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • General Arthritis
  • Gout, Pseudogout, Other
  • Infectious Arthritis
  • Myositis
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Reactive Arthritis
  • Regional Pain: Back and Neck
  • Rehabilitation
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Surgical Therapy
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
  • Systemic Sclerosis
  • Vasculitis
RheumTV Logo

Rheum.TV is an informational platform created to educate patients living with a rheumatic disease. With over 100 disease education videos produced by the team at Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.

Visit Rheum.TV

Footer

Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

  • Johns Hopkins Rheumatology
  • Johns Hopkins Lupus Center
  • Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
  • Johns Hopkins Myositis Center
  • Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center
  • Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Syndrome Center
  • Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Johns Hopkins Medicine

© 2023 Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
Patient Privacy