COVID-19 and immunosuppressants: new data
Since COVID-19 is so new, there’s a shortage of important information on how it affects people with autoimmune disease. Many of us have asked our doctors for guidance with our conditions and medications, but in the end, no one really knows how COVID-19, autoimmune diseases, and immunosuppressants interact. We need data and cases to truly understand how we should proceed. We don’t yet have any large-scale studies, but a small study from New York was released this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. It can give us some much-needed insight into how coronavirus impacts those of us who have autoimmune diseases and take immunosuppressants. Where my last article…
Coronavirus and biologics: Some good news?
The current coronavirus pandemic is concerning, but it can be especially so for people who take immunosuppressant biologics, including TNF and IL-17 inhibitors. Medications like Humira, Enbrel, and Cosentyx are known to suppress the immune system—after all, that’s how they stop autoimmune disease. Does taking these medications put someone more at risk for coronavirus? There’s a lot of information out there, and nothing is conclusive, but I’m going to share what I’ve seen. Some of it has even reassured me! For an updated report from 5/2/20, see COVID-19 and immunosuppressants: new data. It provides data on biologics, oral steroids, methotrexate, and Plaquenil. For current research on Plaquenil, see We don’t…
