New video in the Tu Farmacéutico Informa video advice series focused on raising awareness of biosimilar biological medications in the diseases in which these drugs are most used. In this case, in relation to inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Video advice given by pharmacist Jorge Vázquez, national member of Industry of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges, produced by @medicinatelevision_tv, and with the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Biosimilars @biosim-asociacionespanolad2306
First, let's remember what a biosimilar is. When a biological medicine loses its patent and its exclusivity in the market, it opens up to competition, making it possible for other laboratories to market the same active ingredient.
And these are biosimilar drugs: biological drugs that are prescribed by your doctor and that meet the same guarantees of quality, safety and effectiveness as the original biological.
We now enter the central topic of the video, inflammatory bowel diseases, which, as their name indicates, are pathologies in which inflammation occurs in the walls that line the intestine.
The most common symptoms, although others may occur, are diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, decreased appetite and weight loss. It is estimated that in Spain more than 360.000 people have been diagnosed with one of these diseases.
The arrival of biological medicines has meant an extraordinary advance in the treatment of these diseases although, due to their cost/benefit ratio, their use was reserved for serious cases. However, with the appearance of its biosimilar medications, the price has decreased and its use could be expanded to patients in whom traditional drugs do not obtain the desired result.
There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease in which biosimilars are used, such as:
o Crohn's disease, in which any part of the digestive tract is affected.
o Ulcerative colitis, in which exclusively the large intestine is affected.
The biosimilar medications used in them are:
or adalimumab
or infliximab
The two drugs have the same mechanism of action. Basically, its function is to bind and neutralize a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). TNF-α is one of the causes of inflammation, so neutralizing it and preventing it from exerting its effects improves the disease.
Regarding its method of administration, specifically, infliximab is a medication that can be administered both intravenously and subcutaneously. If administered intravenously, you will have to go to the hospital so that the nurse can administer it to you.
Adalimumab and infliximab can be used subcutaneously, and you can administer them yourself at home. There are two types of devices, syringes and prefilled pens. Remember that each device has specific application instructions, so it is important that a health professional teach you how to administer it yourself or someone around you.
Furthermore, another very important aspect to keep in mind is that subcutaneous medications such as adalimumab and infliximab have special storage conditions, specifically they must be stored in the refrigerator (between 2ºC and 8ºC). It is important that the medication is not frozen and is preserved from light until the moment of use to keep its properties intact.
When you are going to administer it, remember that it is very important to temper the medication for the time indicated on the package insert before using it.
When you travel, you must maintain the cold chain of your medication, which is why you need to bring a portable refrigerator that maintains the temperature between 2ºC and 8ºC. This can ensure that the medication retains its properties and will produce the desired therapeutic effect in your body.
Also, as non-pharmacological measures, a balanced diet, for example the Mediterranean diet, and the restriction of certain products, such as alcohol, will promote better control of symptoms.
Remember, always ask your trusted pharmacist, the healthcare professional who is expert in the medication. We will inform you and resolve any questions you may have.
Video advice given by pharmacist Jorge Vázquez, national member of Industry of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges, produced by @medicinatelevision_tv, and with the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Biosimilars @biosim-asociacionespanolad2306
First, let's remember what a biosimilar is. When a biological medicine loses its patent and its exclusivity in the market, it opens up to competition, making it possible for other laboratories to market the same active ingredient.
And these are biosimilar drugs: biological drugs that are prescribed by your doctor and that meet the same guarantees of quality, safety and effectiveness as the original biological.
We now enter the central topic of the video, inflammatory bowel diseases, which, as their name indicates, are pathologies in which inflammation occurs in the walls that line the intestine.
The most common symptoms, although others may occur, are diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, decreased appetite and weight loss. It is estimated that in Spain more than 360.000 people have been diagnosed with one of these diseases.
The arrival of biological medicines has meant an extraordinary advance in the treatment of these diseases although, due to their cost/benefit ratio, their use was reserved for serious cases. However, with the appearance of its biosimilar medications, the price has decreased and its use could be expanded to patients in whom traditional drugs do not obtain the desired result.
There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease in which biosimilars are used, such as:
o Crohn's disease, in which any part of the digestive tract is affected.
o Ulcerative colitis, in which exclusively the large intestine is affected.
The biosimilar medications used in them are:
or adalimumab
or infliximab
The two drugs have the same mechanism of action. Basically, its function is to bind and neutralize a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). TNF-α is one of the causes of inflammation, so neutralizing it and preventing it from exerting its effects improves the disease.
Regarding its method of administration, specifically, infliximab is a medication that can be administered both intravenously and subcutaneously. If administered intravenously, you will have to go to the hospital so that the nurse can administer it to you.
Adalimumab and infliximab can be used subcutaneously, and you can administer them yourself at home. There are two types of devices, syringes and prefilled pens. Remember that each device has specific application instructions, so it is important that a health professional teach you how to administer it yourself or someone around you.
Furthermore, another very important aspect to keep in mind is that subcutaneous medications such as adalimumab and infliximab have special storage conditions, specifically they must be stored in the refrigerator (between 2ºC and 8ºC). It is important that the medication is not frozen and is preserved from light until the moment of use to keep its properties intact.
When you are going to administer it, remember that it is very important to temper the medication for the time indicated on the package insert before using it.
When you travel, you must maintain the cold chain of your medication, which is why you need to bring a portable refrigerator that maintains the temperature between 2ºC and 8ºC. This can ensure that the medication retains its properties and will produce the desired therapeutic effect in your body.
Also, as non-pharmacological measures, a balanced diet, for example the Mediterranean diet, and the restriction of certain products, such as alcohol, will promote better control of symptoms.
Remember, always ask your trusted pharmacist, the healthcare professional who is expert in the medication. We will inform you and resolve any questions you may have.