Psoriasis Support Group

wow that's scary! Thanx for the info.
This is one of the reasons I wont take oral meds for P. I'd rather deal with it, and use topical ointments.

On April 8, 2009, Genentech, the manufacturer of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab), announced that it has begun a voluntary, phased withdrawal of the product from the U.S. market. The company is taking this action because of a potential risk to patients of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare, serious, progressive neurologic disease caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. By June 8, 2009, Raptiva will no longer be available in the United States.

Prescribers are being asked not to initiate Raptiva treatment for any new patients. Prescribers should immediately begin discussing with patients currently using Raptiva on how to transition to alternative therapies. The FDA strongly recommends that patients work with their health care professional to transition to other alternative therapies for psoriasis.

The risk that an individual patient taking Raptiva will develop PML is rare and is generally associated with long-term use. Generally, PML occurs in people whose immune systems have been severely weakened and often leads to an irreversible decline in neurologic function and death. There is no known effective treatment for PML. On Oct. 16, 2008, FDA updated the FDA-approved labeling for Raptiva to warn of the risk of life-threatening infections, including PML. On Feb. 19, 2009, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory informing patients and prescribers of the risk of PML in patients taking Raptiva, after receiving reports of four patients with PML, three of whom died. On March 13, 2009, the FDA approved a Medication Guide for Raptiva and included additional information in Raptiva's labeling regarding PML.

Raptiva was approved by the FDA in 2003. It is a once-weekly injection for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Prescribers should continue to monitor patients on Raptiva for neurologic symptoms that might represent PML. Prescribers and patients may report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

More information about your rights, please visit: www.PleaseGetMeAnAttorney.com for a Raptiva Attorney or call 1-866-484-7268

i have been on raptiva for about 4 yrs now nothing but great results 99% clear on occasional slight flare but nothing really bad now i was taken off the raptiva 1 month ago and all hell has broken out,worst flare up of my life started the enbrel also 1 month ago but doctor says flare up is from stopping of raptia hoping the enbrel kicks in soon. i was also looking for some insight from anyone using ENBREL and how it was working for them. thanks tom

Enbrel worked great for me for two years and stopped working. Derm switched me to Soriatane and I have having pretty good success with that.