Using a rheumatoid arthritis drug to treat flu – just a few little drawbacks

The swine flu is producing a predictable side effect: an overwhelming desire to profit from the swine flu.

Researchers at the University of Maryland injected mice with a lethal level of flu virus, then treated some of the mice with Abatacept, a rheumatoid arthritis drug. The survival rate among the Abatacept-treated mice was about 30 percent higher than the untreated mice.

According to Ivanhoe Newswire, “Researchers hope Abatacept will soon become an approved drug for protection against flu.”

Right. And monkeys will fly out of my homemade submarine.

The idea that a rheumatoid arthritis drug could be used to treat flu is the least insane part of this harebrained scheme.

Allow me to fill you in on three details Ivanhoe neglected to mention…

1) Side effects. According to the FDA: “Patients taking Orencia [Abatacept’s brand name] are at increased risk for developing infections including pneumonia, and other infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.” And: “There have been rare cases of certain kinds of cancer in patients receiving Orencia.” Other “common side effects” include headache, sore throat, nausea, and – no kidding – upper respiratory tract infection.

And this stuff is supposed to REDUCE the effects of flu?

2) Abatacept doesn’t come in hard pills or capsules or gel caps or powder – not even chewable gummies. It’s given via intravenous injection.

Convenient!

And 3) One dose costs a little over $1,400.

Thanks guys, but I think I’ll just tough out the flu with rest and plenty of liquids – you know, the kind that don’t cost as much as a mortgage payment!

Sources:
“Flu Protection With an Arthritis Drug” Ivanhoe Newswire, 5/27/09, ivanhoe.com “Patient Information Sheet – Abatacept (Marketed as Orencia)” Food and Drug Administration, 2/15/06, fda.gov
“UK Body Says Orencia for Arthritis Too Costly” Michael Kahn, Reuters Health, 8/2/08, reutershealth.com