Biologics are drugs made from complex molecules manufactured using living microorganisms, plant, or animal cells.
Many are produced using advanced biotechnology techniques.
Biologics are sometimes referred to as biopharmaceuticals, or biological drugs, and are administered under close medical supervision.
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Biologics target different pathways in the immune system to treat disease.
Biologics can reduce inflammation and stop joint damage common in psoriatic arthritis, improving quality of life.
Rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, and diabetes have the greatest number of dedicated biologic treatments.
How Biologics Work
Biologic drugs target specific proteins or cells in your body.
They also target pathways of the immune system that trigger inflammation.
They can also have severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects
There are a range of potential side effects from the administration of biologics.
Consult your healthcare provider before beginning use.
More adverse side effects can include serious infections including tuberculosis,bacterial sepsis,and invasive fungal infections.
Consult with your healthcare provider before you jump in treatment and understand the risks.
This list includes the top 10 biologics in the United States and what they are approved for.
They work by targeting specific proteins or cells in the body.
Biologics are used to treat conditions such as immune diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
They may not work for everyone, and they can have serious side effects.
Be sure to discuss these medications with your healthcare provider before using them.
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Food and Drug Administration.Enbrel (etanercept) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Remicade (infliximab) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Avastin (bevacizumab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Herceptin (trastuzumab) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Rituxan (rituximab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Avonex (interferon beta-1a injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) label.
