The study was done on people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were receiving either a TNF-alpha inhibitor (Remicade [infliximab] or Humira [adalimumab]), Kineret (anakinra), or a conventional RA medication (called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). What the authors discovered was that the risk of developing shingles was increased in those who were given the TNF-alpha inhibitors.
Risk of shingles increases with age, and the authors of an accompanying editorial estimate that the risk of developing shingles while taking an TNF-alpha inhibitor is the same as that for a person who is greater than 80 years old.
It is already known that TNF-alpha inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of developing a latent viral infection. However, in most cases the risks of these type of infections are still considered small when compared with the benefits these drugs provide.
Source:
Strangfeld A, Listing J, Herzer P, Liebhaber A, Rockwitz K, Richter C, Zink A. “Risk of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Anti–TNF-Agents.” JAMA 2009;301:737-744. 20 Feb 2009.
Whitley RJ, Gnann JW. “Herpes Zoster in the Age of Focused Immunosuppressive Therapy.” JAMA 2009;301:774-775. 20 Feb 2009.
Shingles attacked my right eye,damaging my Cornea.
I am 34 yrs old and I had a Shingles outbreak after taking Humira for 20 months.
Correction to last comment: 10 months, not 20. Also, I talked to a representative from Abbott (Humira manufacturer) and she said they are seeing a fair amount of people getting Shingles while taking the drug. FYI, there is a Shingles vaccine that came out in 2006 – you may want to ask your doctor about getting the vaccine before starting Humira. The Humira does seem to work well at treating my Crohn’s Disease.
I think it’s interesting that they told you about the number of shingles cases. They must be getting a lot of calls. Maybe they will start recommending the vaccine for anyone who receives these drugs.
Been taking Humira for Psoriasis for almost 2 years. Worked great. A few days ago I thought I had a new breakout after being clear for so long. Went to my derm. He took one look and said it was Shingles. I was half relieved half alarmed. This is torture but hopefully will only last a week (with ant-viral medication).
Beware that you cannot take the Shingles vaccine while taking Humira (or the other TNF inhibitors like Enbrel, Remicade, etc.). The current Shingles vaccine is a live virus, so you need to take it (and wait) before starting Humira et. al.
There is work going on to make a ‘dead’ virus version of the Shingles vaccine, but no such vaccine is yet available.
Talk with your doctor before getting the Shingles vaccine (Zostafax).
I have RA, and just went through an attack of Shingles right as I was starting Humira. I should be able to start again in a week or two.
I’m 47, been on Humeria for 15 months, got my first case of shingles 3 days after taking the shot. Does anyone know is this gonna happen every time I take a shot?
According to Symptom Checker, the chance of a recurrence is low — about 2%. You may want to ask your doctor about it, just to be sure. There is a vaccine for shingles now, but it’s typically only given to those over the age of 60.
Yes I was Remecade for a year and a half after losing my career of 25 years, and then my savings, in the Great Recession along with my medical insurance finally qualifying for County. But County just doesn’t seem to be approving renewals anymore here in CA so they just leave you in pending status month after month. Obviously, you lose all your medical care. It’s been over four months since my last Remecade infusion and I have no medical care of any kind. Shingles are erupting on me now. They hurt like you know what. I wonder if its serious?
The shingles resolved fine thankfully. Stayed off Remecade and went on sulphasalazine. Have impetigo now. Bummer…