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CIMZIA is for adults only.
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Real RA patients share their reasons for starting a biologic therapy.

If you have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and your RA pain and symptoms are not well controlled by your current therapy, a different treatment may help. At some point, your doctor may recommend starting or switching biologic treatment. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of biologic medicines, including the risk of serious infections and malignancies, and review your treatment options with you. It is important to learn about these drugs and to understand your options so you can work with your doctor to choose one that is right for you.

FAQs for rheumatoid arthritis biologics

Talking with your doctor about starting
biologic therapy

If you have been taking nonbiologic DMARDs, you may have questions or concerns about starting a biologic. Talk to your doctor so you understand all the risks and benefits of treating your moderate to severe RA with a biologic drug. The table below includes some questions you may want to ask.

Table. Questions to ask before starting biologic therapy

  • Do I need a biologic?
  • Is there a downside if I wait to start a biologic?
  • Are there long-term consequences of using a biologic?
  • What are the most important things I need to know about using a biologic?
  • Is there anything I need to do before I can start a biologic?
  • If I start a biologic, can I continue taking the other medications that I am on?

If you and your doctor decide that it is time to start biologic therapy, there are many options. One of these options may be CIMZIA.

Learn more about CIMZIA for treatment of moderate to severe RA

Talking with your doctor about switching biologic therapy

No RA treatment works for every person, and it is hard to predict which drug will work best for any one person. Many people need to switch to a new drug at some point, because the drug they're taking does not work well enough or causes side effects. In most cases, when a drug needs to be changed, another drug may be found that will help control RA symptoms.

If your current treatment is not controlling your RA symptoms, talk to your doctor about your options. One of these options may be CIMZIA.

Use the Doctor Discussion Guide to talk to your doctor about CIMZIA.
Learn about flexible CIMZIA dosing options
Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Important Safety Information

There have been cases of unusual cancers in children and teenage patients using TNF-blockers. For people taking TNF-blockers, including CIMZIA, the chances of getting lymphoma may increase. People with RA, especially more serious RA, may have a higher chance for getting a kind of cancer called lymphoma. CIMZIA is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Heart failure including new heart failure or worsening of heart failure has been reported in people taking CIMZIA. Symptoms include shortness of breath, or swelling of your ankles or feet.

NEXT: What Are Your Goals for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment? »