Antirheumatic drugs monitoring

Methotrexate is the disease-modifying antirheumatic drug of choice because of its documented efficacy and safety profile when monitored appropriately. 

Usual Doses and Monitoring Parameters for Antirheumatic Drugs... 

Jobanputra P, Maggs F, Homer D, Bevan J. Monitoring and assessing the safety of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs a West Midlands experience. Drug Saf 2002 25(15) 1099-105. 

TDM Therapeutic Drug Monitoring DMARD, disease modifying antirheumatic drug BA, bioavailability i.v., intravenous p.o. per orale. 

Etanercept therapy should not be initiated in patients with active infection. If an infection develops in a person taking etanercept, he or she should be closely monitored. If a serious infection or sepsis occurs, the drug should be discontinued. Etanercept should be used with caution in individuals who have conditions predisposing them to serious infection (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, hematological abnormalities). Data on drug interactions are limited. Live virus vaccines are contraindicated because of the potential for secondary transmission of the infection by the vaccine. Myelo-suppressive antirheumatic agents have been associated with pancytopenia in some patients treated with etanercept. 

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