Joint Pain Products – Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
While there are numerous joint pain products on the market, ranging from over the counter aspirin to powerful prescription medications, the newest class is tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. These joint pain products include medications such as Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira. TNF inhibitors act on the fact that tumor necrosis factors are the master regulators for inflammatory responses in the body. Joint pain products that inhibit these regulators lessen the severity of the inflammatory response, especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A lessened inflammatory response can provide relief from joint pain associated with inflammation.
The creation of this class of joint pain products has spawned a huge global market. Since these joint pain products can also treat various skin conditions, are used in smoking cessation prescriptions, antidepressant medications, in addition to relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, it make this class of medications extremely popular in a wide variety of treatments. In fact, it was reported that the global market for this class of joint pain products reached nearly $14 billion in 2008. Since tumor necrosis factor is heavily responsible for the inflammatory response, this class of joint pain products could potentially treat other autoimmune disorders similar to rheumatoid arthritis, such as Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.
It is necessary to point out that this particular class of joint pain products is not without side effects. Opportunistic infections are more likely in patients using TNF inhibitors. In fact, in 2008 the FDA issued a warning concerning fungal infections in patients using this particular class of joint pain products. The FDA suggested doctors combine joint pain products in the TNF inhibitor class of medications with empiric antifungal therapy to help prevent opportunistic fungal infections. Likewise, the FDA has required labeling for certain joint pain products in the TNF class to warn patients to be tested for tuberculosis infection prior to beginning a course of TNF inhibitor treatment.
While not packaged as joint pain products, there are natural TNF inhibitors which some individuals might consider. Turmeric has been used in herbal treatments and natural joint pain products for many years. The curcumin present in turmeric has TNF inhibiting qualities. Likewise, green tea has TNF inhibiting compounds called catechins. Green tea is not marketed to consumers with other joint pain products, in spite of the TNF inhibiting qualities of catechins. However, individuals may find some similar results to TNF inhibitor drugs by drinking green tea or using turmeric.
