Table 3.

Monitoring recommendations for anti-TNF-α antagonists and Anakinra.

Anti-TNF-α agents

″Screen all patients prior to commencing treatment for previous exposure to tuberculosis.

″Be clinically alert for infectious diseases, in particular, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; symptoms of congestive cardiac failure and demyelinating disease

″No regular laboratory tests are required unless patients are on conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. In this case, appropriate routine screening must continue

Anakinra

″Baseline complete blood count, monthly for 3 months and 3 monthly thereafter (in particular to monitor for neutropenia)

″Pre treatment screening for asthma

″Be clinically alert for development of infections, particularly pneumonia