Raptiva is an immunosuppressant. It helps treat psoriasis by controlling the body’s immune system and stopping it from producing skin cells too quickly. Normally, it takes 28 days for skin cells to regenerate. People with psoriasis have immune systems that make the skin cells grow every few days, which results in red, inflamed skin. While slowing down the immune system, Raptiva can increase the patient’s risk of developing serious, life-threatening infections.
What are some important things I should know about Raptiva?
Raptiva slows down the body’s immune system, creating an increased risk of infection and serious disease, including cancers and worsening of psoriasis. Also, people taking Raptiva should not receive vaccinations, because Raptiva will decrease the strength of the vaccine.
Raptiva is for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Raptiva treats the entire body, so the patient’s psoriasis must be a candidate for whole body treatment. Raptiva is not for children less than 18 years of age.
Psoriasis affects more than 4 million Americans. It usually targets people from ages 15 to 35 years. The most common type, plaque psoriasis, affects 80 percent of those people. Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system that causes skin cells to regenerate too quickly.
Raptiva can cause back and neck pain, joint pain, and swelling of the arms and legs. These side effects should go away after the first few weeks. If not, contact your doctor. Other common side effects include:
- headache
- chills
- fever
- nausea
- muscle aches
You should contact your doctor if you develop an infection or notice signs of an infection. This includes:
- fever
- chills
- redness
- inflammation
- tenderness or pain
- sore throat
- congestion
You should also contact your doctor if you become pregnant. Raptiva may cause injury to unborn or nursing babies.
Tags: immunosuppressant, infection, psoriasis, Raptiva