Heal Me?

Rumor has it we can use our own body to cure our illnesses. Well that’s kind of what our immune system is right? Antibody therapy might be the way to make our immune system work a little better, and a little faster, by making “synthetic” antibodies (aka we didn’t produce it ourselves) that will fight off any unwanted antigens. Scientists replicate our immune cells, creating the monoclonal antibody that is used to protect our bodies from infection. One specific monoclonal antibody is adalimumab, a drug that works against Psoriatic arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, and Plaque psoriasis.

Adalimumab is considered a “tumor necrosis factor” inhibitor. What is this TNF you may ask? Well, it is a cytokine, which is a protein that works to signal cells in our body. The TFN induces our bodies natural remedies of inflammation when something is going wrong, working with “cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and death”. So the commonality in all of the diseases I mentioned above, is that they all are inflammatory conditions, which is what Adalimumab is helping to eliminate. Because it prevents inflammation, it is dealing with our adaptive immune responses. It seems pretty great, right? Well, all drugs have side effects. So when you’re deciding to use this one, maybe decide after you know that it may lead to:

• Serious infection
• HBV if you are a carrier
• Allergic reactions: hives, swelling, breathing issues
• Nervous system reactions: vision issues, tingling, weakness, dizziness
• Decreased blood cells which fight infection
• Heart failure
• Immune reactions
• Liver problems
• Psoriasis

So it is supposed to eliminate psoriasis, but it psoriasis is also a side effect? That doesn’t seem right. Along with all those side effects, WITHOUT any underlying conditions. It may be a drug that is just out of the question if you have, well, any health conditions. If you have any sort of infection, you probably shouldn’t use the drug. It’ll lead to even more infections. Even living in certain areas of America increases your chance of complications. Obviously, if you’re allergic to any ingredients in the medication, don’t take it. Pregnant ladies, out of the question for you. If you have TB, or have any risk of getting TB, Adalimumab is not for you. The list goes on and on and on and on. So, think twice before you put any drug in your body. It might not always benefit you.