Real RA patients share their reasons for starting CIMZIA.
CIMZIA is a biologic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication for adults with moderately to severely active RA. When RA is active, inflammation is occurring. Inflammation causes joint pain and stiffness but can also cause damage to joints. Joint damage is more likely the longer that RA stays active. Treatment that goes beyond easing the signs and symptoms of RA and reduces RA activity is key to preventing joint damage that can limit physical activity.
CIMZIA may offer fast, lasting relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and may slow the progression of joint damage
In clinical studies, CIMZIA has been shown to reduce RA pain, stiffness, and fatigue in as little as 1 to 2 weeks for some patients. The majority of patients on CIMZIA experienced lasting relief at both 6 months and 1 year. In addition, x-rays of patients on CIMZIA showed reduction in further joint damage at 1 year.
CIMZIA clinical studies: managing rheumatoid arthritis
Is CIMZIA right for you?
Are you considering a change in RA treatment, or has your doctor suggested a change? Perhaps your current treatment is not controlling your RA symptoms. Or, RA is making it difficult for you to do the things you need to do or want to do.
If you and your doctor think the time is right to change your RA treatment, ask if CIMZIA may be right for you. CIMZIA may be used with certain other drugs that help prevent joint damage caused by RA, such as methotrexate. CIMZIA may also be used alone. CIMZIA cannot be used with other biologic drugs for RA.
Use the Doctor Discussion Guide to talk to your doctor about CIMZIA.
Before starting CIMZIA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions as well as all the medicines you take. Especially, tell your doctor if you take Kineret
® (anakinra), Orencia
® (abatacept), Rituxan
® (rituximab), or Tysabri
® (natalizumab). You have a higher chance for serious infections when taking CIMZIA with these medicines. Also tell your doctor if you are taking a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker such as Remicade
® (infliximab), Humira
® (adalimumab), Enbrel
® (etanercept), or Simponi™ (golimumab). You should not take CIMZIA while you take one of these medicines. You should also not receive live or attenuated vaccines while taking CIMZIA.
CIMZIA can be administered in your doctor's office or at home
CIMZIA offers options for how you take your RA medicine. You and your doctor will decide which option is best for you. CIMZIA is taken by injection (shot) just below the skin. CIMZIA comes in 2 forms. One is a powder that is mixed with sterile water. This form can only be given by a doctor or nurse. The other form is the CIMZIA prefilled syringe.
 |
| CIMZIA prefilled syringe, designed in partnership with OXO Good Grips® |
- If you are able to give yourself shots, and are comfortable doing so, 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, or are not comfortable doing so, your doctor or a nurse can administer CIMZIA in your doctor's office. When CIMZIA is administered by a doctor or nurse, it is given as the powdered form that is mixed with sterile water.
Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment information: administration options
CIMZIA offers flexible dosing
The recommended dose of CIMZIA for adults with RA is 400 mg (given as 2 shots that are 200 mg each) initially and at Week 2 and Week 4. So, the first 3 doses of CIMZIA are taken every 2 weeks and consist of 2 shots with each dose. After the first 3 doses, CIMZIA can be taken as one 200 mg shot every 2 weeks or two 200 mg shots every 4 weeks. You and your doctor should decide which dosing is best for you.
What to expect when starting CIMZIA for RA
NEXT: How CIMZIA Works: Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis »