Another concern for those considering Remicade or Humira

A study was done in Germany among rheumatoid arthritis patients taking Remicade, Humira, Kineret and Enbrel. It found a substantial increase in the number of patients developing shingles in those taking Remicade, Humira, and Kineret. Enbrel apparently did not cause an increase in shingles.

Arthritis Treatment Raise Shingles Risk - Certain Arthritis Drugs May Double Risk of Getting Shingles

"It's pretty clear that if you have had previous zoster [shingles] and take these anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, you are going to reactivate it..."

I've never had chicken pox, and I think I'm about to start Humira.

I wonder if this new inactivated vaccine for shingles would also work for chicken pox?

I wonder if the shingles vaccine is allowed if you're already on Humira? I'm seeing my new GI tomorrow, so I'll have to ask.

I have noticed a few people on this board saying they got shingles while on a biologic. I'm not surprised to hear about the connection.

I was on Humira and got shingles March 2008. I will probably be rechallenged with humira again next week. The Immunoloy group at Duke University looked at my case when I was hospitalized there in January. They said that it is is not likely that I will get shingles again. I cannot have the shingles vaccine because I am on Prednisone and pred lowers your immune system giving a risk for actually getting the shingles itself. The last packaged insert I read on Humira for primary shingle risk was 4% but I am sure that it is increased now. I will say this, you as an individual have to outweigh the risk of getting shingles vs the benefit of the biologic theragy.

I read a study awhile back that watched several groups of seniors citizens. Those in the group that got the vaccine AND did tai chi everyday had the least incidence of getting shingles. Plus, those that got it anyway had only a mild case. Guess we should all take up tai chi :).