FDA Orders Stronger Warnings For 4 Arthritis Drugs

The drugs work by suppressing the immune system, and the FDA says that can expose some patients to serious, even fatal, fungal infections.

By: WKRG Staff | WKRG-TV
Published: September 04, 2008

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration is ordering
stronger warnings on four medications used to treat rheumatoid
arthritis.
The drugs - Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel and Remicade - work by
suppressing the immune system, and the FDA says that can expose
some patients to serious, even fatal, fungal infections. The agency
said Thursday it has received 240 reports of one such type of
infection, called histoplasmosis. In at least 21 of the cases,
doctors didn't initially recognize the problem, and 12 of the
patients died.
The fungus that causes the infection is common in the
Mississippi and Ohio river valleys. Patients should stop taking
their medication and call the doctor if they develop persistent
fever, cough, shortness of breath and fatigue.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)