Home
Search Tab Our search works best when asked a question.

Today's Headlines

Health Alerts

Health News Feature

Future of Medicine

Health Observances

Product Recalls


Archives

Health News Feature Archive

Future of Medicine Archive

Please review the policies that apply to all areas of this site. Your continued use of the site means that you accept these policies.
Learn More:
Our Policies
About Us

TrustE Seal

Health on the Net Seal

We subscribe to the HONcode principles.

Verify here.

Home Email This Page
Printer Friendly Page

Arcalyst Treats Rare Inflammatory Disorders


Affecting 300 people in U.S.

FRIDAY, Feb. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The injected drug Arcalyst has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat two rare cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, the Associated Press reported.

The inherited disorders, which affect about 300 people in the United States, can cause symptoms including joint pain, rashes and fever. One of them can also cause hearing loss and deafness.

Arcalyst, made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Tarrytown, N.Y., works by blocking a protein that can trigger inflammation. Respiratory infections and rashes at the injection site are the most common side effects associated with the drug.

The drug's approval came under the FDA's orphan-drug program, which gives companies seven years of exclusive marketing rights in return for developing treatments for rare diseases, the AP reported.

More information

To learn more about this approval, visit the FDA.

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Health News Provided By:
HealthDay
© 2008 Healthvision. All Rights Reserved. .

Healthvision Logo