search button

PRINT THIS PAGE

CIMZIA offers fast, lasting relief of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms and slows the progression of joint damage. In clinical trials, CIMZIA has been shown to reduce RA pain and stiffness and improve physical function within 1 to 2 weeks for some patients. Many patients on CIMZIA experience lasting relief at both 6 months and one year.

CIMZIA is a PEGylated TNF blocker

CIMZIA works by blocking the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. TNF-alpha is a protein produced by cells of the immune system—the body's defense system. TNF-alpha plays a role in the immune system response that causes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. When inflammation is severe or long lasting, joint damage may occur.

Rheumatoid arthritis disease progression: inflammation and joint damage

PEGylation provides a protective barrier around part of the medicine
CIMZIA is the first and only PEGylated treatment option for managing moderate to severe RA. PEGylation helps provide a protective barrier around part of the medicine, so it stays in the body longer. This allows the medicine to be dosed every 2 or 4 weeks.

If you are not getting the lasting relief you want, ask your doctor if CIMZIA is right for you. In clinical trials, many patients on CIMZIA experienced lasting relief at both 6 months and one year.

Use the Doctor Discussion Guide to talk to your doctor about CIMZIA.

Important Safety Information

Patients 65 years of age or older, patients with other long term medical conditions, or taking certain other drugs that affect the immune system, such as corticosteroids or methotrexate, may be at a greater risk of infection.

What clinical studies with CIMZIA have shown

CIMZIA has been tested in clinical studies. One major study involved adults with moderate to severe RA that was not well controlled by taking methotrexate (MTX) alone. In this 1-year study, one group of patients took CIMZIA and MTX and another group of patients took MTX and a shot that contained no medicine (placebo). Over the course of the study, both groups of patients were evaluated against 2 common RA measurement scales: the ACR20 and the modified total Sharp score. ACR20 measures the percentage of patients who have a 20% improvement in the number of tender and swollen joints plus a 20% improvement in 3 other core measures of disease activity. The modified total Sharp score measures the amount of progression (advancement) of joint damage. The score measures both joint space narrowing (loss of cartilage) and bone erosion (damage to the bone). The 2 main end points of the study were the ACR20 response rate at 6 months and the mean change in modified total Sharp score at 1 year. If you have questions, ask your doctor about these measures or about how to track disease improvement by these tools.

This study showed many potential benefits of CIMZIA plus MTX compared with MTX alone:
  • Decreased signs and symptoms of RA. Patients taking CIMZIA had fewer signs and symptoms of active RA, including fewer swollen and tender joints. Some patients had improvements as fast as 1 to 2 weeks. Improvements persisted at both 6 months and 1 year.
  • Less pain, improvement in fatigue, and better daily function. Patients taking CIMZIA also had less pain, improvement in fatigue, and better physical function. Physical function was measured using a set of questions that asked patients about their ability to do everyday activities (the Health Assessment Questionnaire, or HAQ). These improvements also continued through 1 year.
  • Slower progression of joint damage. At one year, patients who took CIMZIA showed less progression (advancement) of joint damage than patients taking placebo.
  • Improved productivity. Patients taking CIMZIA had fewer work days missed per month and fewer days missed per month of family, social, and leisure time compared with methotrexate alone.

Important Safety Information

Serious infections have happened in patients taking CIMZIA, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections.

Low rate of injection site stinging and burning

In clinical studies, less than 2% of patients taking CIMZIA had injection site stinging or burning.

Anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions may occur. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported rarely following CIMZIA administration.

How much is rheumatoid arthritis affecting you each day?

You know better than anyone how RA makes you feel and what struggles it creates for you. But did you know that your symptoms and the day-to-day impact of RA indicate how well your treatment is working?

You can assess your RA treatment by answering a few simple questions. RA experts have found that the answers to these questions are a good indicator of RA control.

Assess your symptoms: RA Self-Assessment Tool

NEXT: Help Control Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms »