About CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol)
CIMZIA is a biologic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication approved 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, so reducing RA activity
is key to preventing joint damage that can limit physical activity. CIMZIA reduces
RA inflammation—while easing the signs and symptoms of RA.
RA symptom relief, proven in clinical trials
In clinical trials, CIMZIA was proven versus placebo to provide noticeable RA symptom
relief within 24 weeks for the majority of patients and as fast as 1-2 weeks for
some patients. Your results may vary.
CIMZIA can last
In clinical trials, a majority of patients experienced noticeable improvement in
RA signs and symptoms at 24 weeks; in many patients this lasted through 1 year and
prevented further joint damage. Your results may vary.
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
are used to treat RA. 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 a live vaccine 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.
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CIMZIA prefilled syringe, designed in partnership with OXO Good Grips®
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- If you are able to give yourself
shots, and your doctor determines that it is appropriate, you may use the CIMZIA
prefilled syringe at home or when you travel 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 it is not appropriate for you, 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 before being injected.
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 »