CLINICAL PHOTOTHERAPY UNITS
Dermawand - wound care
ACCESSORIES
Replacement Lamps/Bulbs 
Measuring Devices  
Eye Protection
Patient HOME UNITS
Full Body Folding Unit  
Handheld Spot Treatment 
Home UVB Light Panels
Scalp Psoriasis Treatment 
PRESCRIBING PHOTOTHERAPY
Phototherapy vs Biologics
Physician Discounts
Current Research and Links
SUPPORTING YOUR PATIENTS
  Home UVB is Cost-Effective
  Cost Analysis of Phototherapy
NEWS
Biologics Cost More Than House
  Yet Phototherapy Cost Effective
New Products for Home
Upcoming Trade Shows
ABOUT NATIONAL BIOLOGICAL
Hear From Our Customers
About Us
NEED HELP?
Site Map
Contact Us
800-338-5045

 


PATIENTS          PHYSICIANS          HOME          

UV Phototherapy vs. Biologics

Raptiva™, Enbrel™ Amevive™ Versus

Ultraviolet Light Phototherapy

Only 21% of patients achieve 75% PASI score (IM). On average only 29% of patients achieve 75% PASI score (IV). 1,2,3 Clearing at 12 Weeks Typically 20-25 treatments to clearing.
Long term remission for 90-95% of patients 4
Suppress Immune System 5,A Side Effects Minimal Side Effects 6,7,B

Not Fully Reimbursed 8
Potentially high co-pays for patients. Single course of therapy every 6-12 months $12K-$18K.

Cost

Almost Always Reimbursed 8
Small co-pay for patient.

12 IV, IM, or SC injection treatments per treatment cycle

Simplicity of Use

Standing in front of a light for 5-10 minutes
Too New for Safety Record 5 Safety Decades of Safe Use 9
 

A. Side Effects of Biologics:

  • Raptiva - "The most common side effects of Raptiva include headache, chills, fever, nausea and muscle aches. Back pain, joint pain and swelling of the arms and legs (peripheral edema) can also happen with Raptiva."
  • Enbrel - "Many of these infections occured in patients predisposed to infections because of concomitant immunosuppresive therapy and/or their underlying disease. Rarecases of TB have been observed."
  • Amevive - "Commonly observed adverse events seen in the first course were: pharyngitis, dizziness, increased cough, nausea, pruritus, myalagia, chills, injection site pain, injection site inflammation and accidental injury."

B. Side effects of Phototherapy

Narrowband lamping has been available in Europe since 1988 and with proper exposure has shown minimal side effects.

 

Bibliography

  1. Amevive. Advertisement. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Jul. 2004: 858-859.
  2. Enbrel. Advertisement. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Jul. 2004: 918-919.
  3. Raptiva. Advertisement. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Jul. 2004: 938-939.
  4. Al-Suwaiden MD, Sami. "Clearence is not a realistic expectation of psoriasis treatment.." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 0 Mar. 2000: 796-802.
  5. Windle, PharmD, Mary. eMedicine Health - Understanding Psoriasis Medications, Systemic Age. -1 2003. Emedicine Consumer Health. 9 Jul. 2004.
  6. Reviewed by Simon MD, Harvey. www.healthandage.com/html/well_connected/pdf/doc87. 10 Nov. 2003. Health and Age Centers. 9 Jul. 2004.
  7. Shelk J. and Morgan P.Narrow-band UVB: a practical approach. 12 Dec. 2000. Dermatol Nursing. 9 Jul. 2004.
  8. Herper, Matthew. J&J Edges Up On The Itch. 26 Mar. 2003. Forbes.com. 9 Jul. 2004.
  9. Price, MD, Norman. An Overview of Psoriasis Therapy. 1998. . 9 Jul. 2004.
 
View Brochure