CIMZIA is for adults only.
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First steps

When prescribing CIMZIA for Crohn's disease, your doctor should talk to you about potential serious side effects, including risks for infection such as certain fungal diseases, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B virus, and malignancies. Biologics such as CIMZIA may lower the ability of the immune system to fight infections.

There are a few things you need to know:
  • Tuberculosis (TB) testing. Your doctor will ask you questions to determine your risk of TB and test you for TB that may be latent or not yet causing symptoms. If you test positive for TB, it must be treated before starting CIMZIA. Your doctor should monitor you for signs of TB during treatment with CIMZIA.
  • Timing of first dose. If you have been taking a biologic drug for your Crohn's, your doctor will need to determine how much time is needed between stopping the other drug and starting CIMZIA.
  • Deciding on in-office or at-home administration. You and your doctor should discuss which administration option is best for you. If you are able to give yourself shots, and it is appropriate, you may use the CIMZIA prefilled syringe at home after you have been trained by a doctor or nurse in proper injection technique. It is also possible for a friend or loved one to be trained to help you with the shot.

If you are not able to give yourself shots, and your doctor determines self-injection is not appropriate for you, your doctor may recommend in-office administration by a healthcare provider. If your CIMZIA prescription is not contained in a prefilled syringe, but rather is a lyophilized powder for reconstitution, CIMZIA should be prepared and injected by a healthcare provider.

Taking CIMZIA in your doctor's office

If your doctor prescribes CIMZIA for in-office administration, the following are steps you can expect when
starting CIMZIA:
  • You will be scheduled to receive your first dose of CIMZIA after TB testing and insurance authorization.
  • Your first dose will consist of 2 shots of CIMZIA. The shots will be given in your abdomen (belly) or thigh area. Before your first shot, your doctor should tell you about potential serious side effects, symptoms to watch for, and other things you need to know about when taking CIMZIA. Also, read the Medication Guide to learn about side effects that can occur when taking CIMZIA.
  • You will be scheduled to receive your second dose of CIMZIA 2 weeks after the first dose. Your third dose will be scheduled for 2 weeks after the second. After the third dose, you will receive CIMZIA every 4 weeks.
  • Contact your doctor or nurse if you have any questions at any time while taking CIMZIA.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking CIMZIA at home

If your doctor prescribes the CIMZIA prefilled syringe, the following are the steps you can expect and things you need to know:
  • After TB testing and insurance authorization, you will fill your prescription for CIMZIA and schedule an appointment to do your first injection at your doctor's office. You should not give yourself CIMZIA unless your doctor or nurse has shown you how to do the shot. Before the appointment, be sure to store CIMZIA appropriately and keep it out of the reach of children.
  • The recommended initial dose of CIMZIA for moderate to severe adult CD patients is 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg) initially and at Weeks 2 and 4. In patients who obtain a clinical response, the recommended maintenance regimen is 400 mg every 4 weeks.
  • You will need 2 prefilled CIMZIA syringes each time you are due for a dose of CIMZIA. Do not give yourself more shots than your doctor has prescribed.
  • If you forget a dose of CIMZIA, inject the dose as soon as you remember. Then, inject your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
  • Store packages of CIMZIA prefilled syringes in the refrigerator at a temperature between 36°F and 46°F. Take your dose of CIMZIA from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before taking it, which may take up to 30 minutes. Do not freeze CIMZIA.
  • Contact your doctor or nurse if you have any questions at any time while taking CIMZIA.
  • Be sure to keep medication out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of children.

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