Thanks to the advancements in modern medicine, many types of drugs are available to help patients lead healthy lives. For instance, you have your common oral medications like tablets, capsules, and syrups. But you have something else, a special type of medicine known as biologics. These drugs differ from traditional medications, as they’re made of complex molecules derived from living organisms.
Let’s learn more about biologics: therapeutic and non-therapeutic biologics, and where you can go for comprehensive orthopedic care in Austin, TX.
What Are Biologics?
Biologics are a type of medicine that’s made from complex molecules found in living organisms, like plants, animals, or microorganisms.
These complex molecules are typically proteins and are produced using biotechnology.
Biologics can be divided into two categories:
1. Therapeutic Biologics
Therapeutic biologics are medications used to treat different diseases, such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
These medicines are developed from living cells and can be administered via injections or intravenous infusion.
Examples of therapeutic biologics include the following:
Monoclonal Antibodies
These proteins are made to recognize and attach to specific targets in the body. They can be used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions.
Interferons
These proteins interfere with the growth of viruses in the body. They can be used to treat viral infections or certain types of cancer.
Cytokines
These small proteins stimulate the body’s immune system. They can be used to treat some types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions.
2. Non-Therapeutic Biologics
Non-therapeutic biologics, such as vaccines or anti-allergy drugs, are used to prevent illnesses or maintain health.
Examples of non-therapeutic biologics include the following:
Anti-Allergy Drugs
These are medicines that reduce the symptoms of allergies. They can be administered via injections or oral medications.
Human Growth Hormones
These are proteins that help control the body’s growth. They can be used to treat certain conditions, such as stunted growth due to a medical condition.
Blood Clotting Factors:
These proteins help the blood clot and can be used to treat certain conditions, such as hemophilia.
Vaccines
Vaccines are drugs that can help prevent certain infections.
The Difference Between Biologics and Traditional Medications
Biologics are different from traditional medications in several ways.
For example, biologics are made using complex molecules extracted from living organisms. In contrast, traditional medications use chemical compounds to create drugs.
Biologics also have longer production times as compared to traditional medications. This is because biologics need time for growing and harvesting before they can be used.
Additionally, biologics can be more expensive than traditional medications since they require additional time and resources in their production process.
What Are the Benefits of Biologics?
Biologics offer numerous benefits over traditional medications. For example, biologics are highly effective in treating certain conditions due to their complex molecular structures
Moreover, biologics can be tailored to a patient’s individual needs by adjusting the size or dose of the molecules. This ensures that the drug is better suited for them.
Finally, biologics have fewer side effects than traditional medications since they’re made from complex molecules easily absorbed by the body. This can reduce the risk of adverse reactions and make biologics a safer alternative for certain patients.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Biologics?
Despite the numerous benefits of biologics, some risks are associated with these drugs. For example, biologics can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
Biologics can also have side effects like fatigue, headache, and nausea. These side effects usually occur when the body is not used to the medication. Luckily, these effects can be reduced over time.
Finally, biologics may interact with other medications, so checking with a doctor before taking them is important.
Consulting Your Doctor About Biologics
Biologics can be a powerful tool in treating certain conditions. They can also offer numerous benefits over traditional medications. However, it’s important to consult your doctor before taking biologics.
Your doctor can provide more information about the drugs and help you determine if they are right for you.
They can also help monitor your progress and adjust your dosage as needed. This guidance can help ensure you get the most benefit from these drugs.
Biologics in Austin, TX
Biologics are complex molecules extracted from living organisms to treat certain conditions. They offer numerous benefits, such as being highly effective and tailored to individual needs. While biologics can be expensive and have some side effects, they’re often a safer alternative to traditional medications. Still, it’s important to consult your doctor before taking any medication, including biologics.
Do you need biologics near you in Austin? Look no further than the trusted All-Star Orthopedics of Austin. Our highly trained, skilled, and board-certified provider also offers both surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic care. In addition to orthopedic treatments, we offer autologous biologics, such as platelet-rich plasma therapy and stem cell therapy for patients, as an effective alternative to invasive surgery.
To set up a private consultation with our orthopedic doctor, call us today at (512) 346-4933 or use our online request form.
We look forward to helping you improve your quality of life!
