Arthritis med Lodotra approved in Europe
January 9, 2009 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Morning pain and stiffness is one of the most common complaints from people who have pain from rheumatoid arthritis. Some people manage quite well during the day but have trouble getting started in the morning because of the pain.
One commonly used medication is called prednisone. It’s a glucocorticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the joints, relieveing pain.
The pain and stiffness itself is caused by a process started by pro-inflammatory cytokines which seem to be the worst at night. The cytokines are what communicates the messages and encourage the pain and stiffness.
The new medication, Lodotra, is based on prednisone but it includes a circadian cytokine modulator or CCM. By taking the Lodotra at bedtime, the unique system releases prednisone about four hours later, ensuring it’s acting during the early morning hours, when it’s needed the most.
The novel part of the drug is that is in a class known as circadian cytokine modulator (CCM) which is taken at bedtime. The prednisone is released approximately 4 hours later and suppresses the night time pro-inflammatory cytokines. This results in reduction in early morning RA stiffness and pain.
The European Regulatory Approval system has approved Lodotra for use in many European countries, but the drug is only on Phase 2 trials in the United States, meaning it will be a while before it is available in the US, depending on study outcomes and the follow up Phase 3 trials.
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That’s interesting, thanks for writing about this.
I have RA and yes, morning stiffness and pain is a big factor for me. Stumbling to the washroom each morning, barely able to walk has been a part of my life for so long, I’m used to it now. But the joy I would have it that could be alleviated!
Because of my morning stiffness, I have to shower at night before bed instead of in the morning. I’m less achy and stiff at night then in the morning, so it makes it much easier for me.
I’d be interested in a follow up on this med, to see how the US study trial progress.
I take celebrex because I’m allergic to prednisone. I’ve found that the morning pain and stiffness is much better now. There’s nothing else I can take that doesn’t cause severe side effects.