Press Release

BEERSE, Belgium, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Janssen-Cilag announced today that STELARA(TM) (ustekinumab), the first in a new class of biologics, has been approved by the European Commission for use across Europe. The approved indication of ustekinumab is for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapies including ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A light). With the approval by the European Commission, ustekinumab is approved in 27 countries in the EU. Psoriasis, a chronic skin disease that affects between two and three percent of the European population,(1) is associated with substantial physical and emotional burdens and potentially serious co-morbidities.(2,3)

In clinical studies, treatment with ustekinumab demonstrated significant improvements in patients’ psoriasis, and quality of life, which were sustained with as few as four injections a year (every twelve weeks) following two starter doses at weeks 0 and 4. The approval of ustekinumab offers adults living with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis a new therapy which has the potential to make a considerable impact on their daily lives.

The approval is based on data from two large, pivotal Phase III, multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trials (PHOENIX 1 & 2) involving nearly 2,000 patients in whom the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were evaluated.(4,5) Two-thirds or more of patients achieved the primary endpoint of each trial, at least 75% improvement in psoriasis using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) at week 12, after receiving just two doses of ustekinumab 45 mg or 90 mg, respectively, at weeks 0 and 4. At week 12, 66 percent to 76 percent of patients receiving ustekinumab 45 mg or 90 mg doses, respectively, achieved PASI 75 compared with 3 to 4 percent of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001). The majority of responders receiving injections every 12 weeks maintained PASI 75 response through up to 18 months.

Rates of serious adverse events, including serious infections, malignancies and cardiovascular events, were low and consistent with the expected background rates. The most common adverse reactions in Phase III clinical trials were arthralgia, cough, headache, injection site erythema, nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection. Most were considered to be mild and did not necessitate discontinuation of therapy.

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Tags: pain blog, psoriasis medication, psoriasis, severe plaque psoriasis, stelara ustekinumab

Post from: Blisstree

STELARA Receives Approval in Europe for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Some people have just patches of eczema here or there, but others can be totally covered by it. The skin of someone who has eczema starts off looking "normal," but it’s very, intensely itchy. So, the people who have eczema begin to scratch. But, eczema isn’t called the itch-scratch-rash skin disease for nothing. As the person scratches, it causes a rash. The rash is dry and causes the skin to crack, but also becomes itchier, so there’s more scratching – and more rash develops.

People with eczema have spent thousands, millions, of dollars over the years trying to put an end to the vicious cycle, but now, for some, the answer may be in a simple water filter.

According to a study done in the United Kingdom, eczema seems to be more common in areas with hard water than with soft water. So far, researchers have been following 230 children with eczema after their parents were given a water softener to use for three months. Then, for one month, they didn’t have the water softener. If the children were taking something for the eczema, they continued throughout the study.

The effect of the water softener was life changing for some, including the family discussed in this article Water softener eczema relief hope.

Can you imagine how many lives would change if the solution is really this simple?

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Tags: painful skin disease, eczema, treatment for eczema

Post from: Blisstree

A simple water softener possible treatment for painful eczema?

If so, I found a video that does a great job of explaining what eczema is and what to look for. Just click on the TV screen below to watch the familydoctor.org video.

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Tags: pain blog, eczema

Post from: Blisstree

Video: Eczema

We’re always warning people about using sunscreen, using sunscreen properly, and choosing the right sunscreen, but it is still possible to be burned through your clothing. Fellow writer and blogger, Melanie McMinn, writes about how easy it is to get sunburned in New Zealand, likely because the "clean air, the hole in the ozone layer that hovers over us combined with the angle of the summer sun create perfect conditions for sunburn."

You can read her piece on NZ and her advice in the article, Tips: New Zealand Sunburn and Avoiding the Lobster Look

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Tags: pain blog, sunburns, new zealand sunburns

Post from: Blisstree

Yes, you CAN get sunburned through your clothing

1. Phototherapy: Some people respond to having light therapy that is directed towards the psoriasis patches. This therapy isn’t the same as going out into the sun though; it’s supervised and timed. That being said, there are portable units that can be used at home.
2. Creams and ointments: Using creams and ointments is called topical treatment – the medication is being placed directly on the affected skin. This is usually the first thing tried to manage the disease. Salicylic acid can be over-the-counter or a stronger version by prescription. Tar is used in many shampoos or bath products to work on the psoriasis lesions. There are several prescription creams that may or may not contain topical corticosteroids, as well.
3. Systemic medications: Systemic medications are what you take by mouth or through an injection or IV. For psoriasis, these are usually quite heavy duty so they are the last resort treatments. Medications include Remicade, Enbrel, and Humira, among many others.
4. Of course, there are some lifestyle changes that may help some people too. They include finding out which foods may encourage a psoriasis flare up, how long you stay out in the sun, and how much you exercise and sweat.

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Tags: pain blog, psoriasis, managing psoriasis, psoriasis treatment, phototherapy

Post from: Blisstree

4 ways to manage psoriasis

There are a lot of misconceptions about psoriasis so here are five truths about psoriasis:

• Psoriasis is NOT contagious. It’s a skin disease that you’re born with.
• There is no cure yet for psoriasis. Many treatments, either by cream or ointment, or pill form can help control the breakouts, but nothing has yet been found to stop them completely.
• Psoriasis doesn’t occur just on the scalp, although that’s where many people do have it. The most common areas for psoriasis are the scalp, knees, elbows and upper back and chest. Other areas include the genitals the soles of your feet and palms of your hands, and even the face.
• Psoriasis can show up at any age. Although most people have their first outbreak in childhood, it can begin in infancy or even in adulthood.
• Psoriatric arthritis is connected to psoriasis. It’s estimated that between 10% to 30% of people who have arthritis will develop psoriatric arthritis. As with rheumatoid arthritis, it can occur in any joint and can be disabling if it becomes severe.

Stay tuned for another post on how to manage psoriasis.

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Tags: pain blog, psoriasis, psoriatric arthritis, cures for psoriasis, treatment for psoriasis

Post from: Blisstree

5 truths about psoriasis

The very first thing you do for a minor to moderate burn (NOT a third-degree to the bone burn) is to apply cold water. Let cold water (not ice) run over the burn. This will clean it but, most importantly, slow the burning process in the skin and body tissue.

Now, at this point some people would be reaching for the aloe vera. They may either have it in a lotion or cream, or use the the plant itself. Apparently, aloe vera is great for healing. Or is it?

The New York Times ran an article at the beginning of September that discussed the effectiveness – or ineffectiveness of aloe vera on a burn. The author looked at studies done using aloe vera and it turns out that the evidence isn’t all that much in aloe’s favor. You can read more about it here: Really? The Claim: Aloe Vera Gel Can Heal Burns

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Images: MorgueFile.com

Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, burns, aloe vera for burns, aloe vera, healing burns

Post from: Blisstree

Does aloe vera help heal burns?

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Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, eczema, chronic hand eczema, toctino, alitretinoin, itchy blisters

Post from: Blisstree

Toctino, medication of hand eczema, now available in UK

Psoriasis not only does a number on your skin – it can do a number on your emotional health as you try to hide the patches so no-one else will know. One celebrity knows what that’s like because she has lived with psoriasis since the age of 2 years. She now has come out publicly to support the Stop Hiding, Start Living campaign sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation.

LeAnne Rimes is that celebrity.

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Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, leanne rimes, psoriasis, scaly skin, autoimmune disease, leanne rimes psorasis, leanne rimes photo

Post from: Blisstree

A celebrity with psoriasis

August is Psoriasis Awareness month. Psoriasis is a skin disease but it can also lead to a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. As with rheumatoid arthritis psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation and pain in the joints, can can cause disability.

Here are some posts regarding psoriasis:

• Efalizumab for Psoriasis May Trigger Psoriatic Arthritis
• Press Release: FDA Committee Unanimously Recommends Approval of Ustekinumab for Plaque Psoriasis
• Press release: New Guidelines for the Management of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• Biologic agents for treatment of psoriasis
• Press release: Ustekinumab Phase 3 data show long-term improvement of chronic plaque psoriasis
• Press release: Humira (adalimumab) Receives FDA Approval For Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
• Etanercept promising for children with psoriasis

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Post from: Blisstree

Psoriasis Awareness Month