[TNF inhibitors: the role of drug levels]

Charlotte L M Krieckaert1, Erik H Vogelzang, Theo Rispens

  • 1Jan van Breemen Research Institute en Reade, afd. Reumatologie, Amsterdam.

There is a variation in the pharmacokinetics of TNF inhibitors. Measurement of drug levels may help to identify patients in whom treatment can be optimised. Various factors influence the pharmacokinetics of TNF inhibitors; one of the most important factors is immunogenicity. There is inter-patient variation in the TNF inhibitor dose needed to achieve clinical effectiveness, as well as variation in the dose needed to maintain clinical effectiveness. Immunosuppressive co-medication plays an important role in the optimisation of TNF inhibitor therapy via an effect on inflammation and immunogenicity.

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