Getting Started on CIMZIA
First steps
When prescribing CIMZIA for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor should talk to
you about potential serious side effects, including risks for infection such as
certain fungal diseases, hepatitis B virus and certain malignancies.
There are a few things you need to know:
- Tuberculosis
(TB) testing. Your doctor will ask you questions to determine your risk
for 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 RA, 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 if your doctor determines it's appropriate, you may be able to use the CIMZIA prefilled syringe at home after your doctor or nurse shows you how to give yourself the shot. If you are not able to give yourself shots, or your doctor determines it is not appropriate, your doctor or a nurse can administer CIMZIA in your doctor's office.
Taking CIMZIA in your doctor's office
If your doctor prescribes CIMZIA for in-office administration,you can expect the
following steps 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) and/or thigh
area. Before your first shot, your doctor should tell you about potential side effects,
symptoms to watch for, and other things you need to know about when taking CIMZIA.
Also, read the
Medication Guide & Prescribing Information 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 2 or 4 weeks thereafter.
- Contact your doctor or nurse if
you have any questions at any time while taking CIMZIA.
Taking CIMZIA at home
If your doctor prescribes the CIMZIA prefilled syringe, the following are 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.
- Your first dose will consist of
2 shots of CIMZIA. The shots will be given in your abdomen (belly) and/or thigh
area. At the time of your first dose, you will be trained in how to use and dispose
of the CIMZIA prefilled syringe. You will be shown where on your abdomen or thigh
area you should give yourself shots and how to do the shots. Before your first shot,
your doctor should tell you about potential side effects, symptoms to watch for,
and other things you need to know when taking CIMZIA. Also, read the
Medication Guide & Prescribing Information to learn about side effects that
can occur when taking CIMZIA.
- After the first dose, if you are
comfortable giving yourself shots and able to use the prefilled syringe, you may
be able to continue taking CIMZIA at home.
- The second dose of CIMZIA will
need to be taken 2 weeks after the first and will consist of 2 shots. The third
dose of CIMZIA will need to be taken 2 weeks after the second and will consist of
2 shots.
- After the third dose, depending
on how you respond to CIMZIA, your doctor may want you to take CIMZIA every 2 weeks
or every 4 weeks. If your doctor prescribes CIMZIA every 2 weeks, the dose will
consist of 1 shot every 2 weeks. If your doctor prescribes CIMZIA every 4 weeks,
the dose will consist of 2 shots every 4 weeks. Depending on the dose prescribed,
you will need to use 1 or 2 prefilled CIMZIA syringes each time you are due for
a dose of CIMZIA. Do not give more shots than your doctor has prescribed.
- If you forget to take a dose of
CIMZIA, take the dose as soon as you remember. Then, take 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. Do not freeze CIMZIA.
- Contact your doctor or nurse if
you have any questions at any time while taking CIMZIA.
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