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You work at a hospital that has always been using “Trexatine” as a medication to treat

autoimmune disease flare-ups. While Trexatine is effective in helping with the disease, it
has a negative side effect...it raises Systolic Blood Pressure by an average of 12.93
points. This can be a problem for patients who have high blood pressure to begin with.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Trexatine is used to control symptoms of autoimmune diseases but raises systolic blood pressure, posing a risk for patients with hypertension. Balancing treatment with side effects is critical. Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs can suppress necessary inflammatory responses, increasing the risk of infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discussion involves a medication called Trexatine that is used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, leading to inflammation and various symptoms. To manage these symptoms, medications like Trexatine, which have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties, are used. However, an important consideration in the treatment of autoimmune conditions is the potential side effects of these medications, such as the increase in systolic blood pressure mentioned for Trexatine.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can significantly elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, it is crucial to balance the effectiveness of Trexatine in treating autoimmune flare-ups with its impact on systolic blood pressure, especially in patients who may already suffer from hypertension.

Another concern with long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs like Trexatine and steroids is that they can suppress the body's natural inflammatory response, which is essential for fighting off infections. Hence, regular use of such medications might lead to an increased risk of infections or other health complications. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to treating autoimmune diseases, which may include lifestyle changes and other medications to manage blood pressure alongside the primary treatment.

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