Herpes Zoster and TNF-α Antagonists

Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with infliximab or adalimumab are at increased risk for herpes zoster.

Drugs that inhibit tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) have been shown to increase risk for serious bacterial and fungal infections. Do they also increase risk for viral infections? To answer this question, researchers in Germany analyzed data from RABBIT, an ongoing, industry-funded, nationwide prospective cohort study examining the effectiveness and long-term safety of biological agents in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Eligible patients started new treatment with the anti–TNF-α monoclonal antibodies infliximab or adalimumab, the TNF-receptor fusion protein etanercept, or the interleukin-1–receptor antagonist anakinra, or changed their conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment, between May 2001 and December 2006. A t…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Herpes Zoster and TNF-α Antagonists

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Reviewing Author