Key takeaways
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cimzia to treat certain inflammatory conditions in adults, including rheumatoid arthritis. It’s also FDA approved for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in some children.
  • Cimzia works to reduce inflammation by blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein that causes inflammation. TNF is produced in excessive amounts by the conditions Cimzia treats.
  • It may take a few weeks after starting Cimzia before you notice symptoms of your condition easing.

Cimzia is FDA approved for use in adults to treat the following conditions:

Cimzia is also FDA approved to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older.

Cimzia is a biologic drug. A biologic drug is made from living cells, while other drugs are made from chemicals.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Cimzia here:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Cimzia to treat certain conditions. Cimzia may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s FDA approved to treat certain conditions is prescribed to treat a different condition.

Cimzia for rheumatoid arthritis

Cimzia is FDA approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It’s used for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis that’s active (causing symptoms).

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning it occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks cells in your body. It causes joint swelling and damage, and it makes your joints stiff and painful.

Effectiveness for rheumatoid arthritis

In clinical trials, Cimzia was more effective than a placebo (a treatment with no active drug ingredient) at reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. It was also more effective than a placebo at improving physical function (ability to do daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or walking).

Cimzia for plaque psoriasis

Cimzia is FDA approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. It’s used for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis that could benefit from systemic treatment (treatment that affects the entire body) or phototherapy (light treatment).

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis, a condition that affects the skin. It’s an autoimmune disease, meaning it occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body. It causes red or silver plaques (thick, scaly patches) to develop on your skin. Cimzia helps reduce the number of psoriasis plaques and how severe they are.

Effectiveness for plaque psoriasis

In clinical trials, Cimzia was more effective than a placebo at reducing symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

Cimzia for Crohn’s disease

Cimzia is FDA approved for Crohn’s disease in adults. It’s used to reduce symptoms in people who have moderate to severe Crohn’s disease that’s active. Cimzia is typically prescribed if other treatments haven’t been effective.

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes symptoms such as diarrhea, blood in your stools, and abdominal cramps.

Effectiveness for Crohn’s disease

In clinical trials, Cimzia was more effective than a placebo at reducing symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

Cimzia for psoriatic arthritis

Cimzia is FDA approved to treat psoriatic arthritis in adults. It’s used for psoriatic arthritis that’s active. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis (joint swelling) that can happen in some people with psoriasis.

Effectiveness for psoriatic arthritis

In a clinical trial, Cimzia was more effective than a placebo at reducing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. It was also more effective than a placebo at improving physical function (ability to do daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or walking).

Cimzia for ankylosing spondylitis

Cimzia is FDA approved to treat ankylosing spondylitis in adults. It’s used for ankylosing spondylitis that’s active (causing symptoms). Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that affects the spine.

Effectiveness for ankylosing spondylitis

In one clinical trial, Cimzia was more effective than a placebo at reducing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. Cimzia was also more effective than a placebo at improving physical function (ability to do daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or walking).

Cimzia for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

Cimzia is FDA approved to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults. This is a kind of joint inflammation in the spine or pelvis that causes pain and stiffness but can’t be seen on an X-ray. Cimzia is used for active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in people who have signs of inflammation in blood tests or MRI scans.

Effectiveness for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

In one clinical trial, Cimzia was more effective than a placebo at improving symptoms and reducing disease activity. Disease activity is assessed using the results of blood tests and by asking people to rate their symptoms (for example, how severe their back pain is). The drug was considered effective after 12 weeks of treatment and after 1 year of treatment.

Cimzia and children

Cimzia is FDA approved to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis that’s active in children ages 2 years and older.

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects children. “Polyarticular” means the condition affects five or more joints. “Idiopathic” means the cause of this arthritis is unknown.

A clinical trial has found Cimzia safe and effective for treating polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. For more information, see the Cimzia prescribing information.

Off-label uses for Cimzia

In addition to its FDA-approved uses, Cimzia may be prescribed off-label. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s FDA approved for certain conditions is prescribed for a condition that’s not approved.

Cimzia for ulcerative colitis (off-label use)

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that’s similar to Crohn’s disease. Cimzia is FDA approved to treat Crohn’s disease, but it’s not FDA approved to treat ulcerative colitis.

Cimzia is a type of drug called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, and other TNF blockers are approved to treat ulcerative colitis.

A clinical trial suggests Cimzia may be safe and effective for treating ulcerative colitis. However, more research is needed.

Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in using Cimzia to treat ulcerative colitis.

Cimzia contains the active ingredient certolizumab pegol, which is a biologic medication. It’s not available as a biosimilar. (Biosimilars are like a generic version of a biologic medication.)

Cimzia can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while using Cimzia. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Cimzia, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while receiving Cimzia and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-332-1088.

Mild side effects

Here are partial lists of mild side effects of Cimzia. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to Cimzia’s prescribing information.

The mild side effects of Cimzia that are more common include:

The mild side effects of Cimzia that are less common include:

  • herpes infections (such as oral herpes, genital herpes, or chickenpox) in people with plaque psoriasis who have been exposed to the herpes virus
  • headache in people with plaque psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • high blood pressure in people with rheumatoid arthritis who already have high blood pressure or are taking other medications that could also increase blood pressure
  • joint pain in people with Crohn’s disease
  • injection site reaction, such as skin discoloration, bruising, pain, or swelling
  • hair loss
  • mild allergic reaction

For details about allergic reaction see the “Side effect details” section.

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Cimzia aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • Heart failure. Symptoms can include:
    • shortness of breath
    • swollen ankles or feet
    • sudden weight gain
  • Blood disorders, such as low number of red or white blood cells or platelets. Symptoms can include:
    • fever
    • bruising or bleeding easily
    • skin or gums that look pale
  • Liver problems, including liver damage and reactivation of the hepatitis B virus in people who have this virus. Symptoms can include:
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • loss of appetite
    • abdominal pain
    • fatigue
    • jaundice (yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes)
  • Nerve problems, such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, seizures, optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve), and peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms can include:
    • dizziness
    • problems with your vision
    • tingling
    • numbness
    • weakness in your arms or legs
  • Immune system reactions, such as lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms can include:
    • shortness of breath
    • joint pain
    • rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse when exposed to the sun
  • Serious allergic reaction.
  • Risk of serious infections.
  • Possible risk of cancers.

For details about allergic reaction, see the next section.

Cimzia has a boxed warning for risk of serious infections and possible risk of cancers. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see the “Cimzia precautions” section.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on several of the side effects this drug may cause.

Tiredness

You may feel tired while using Cimzia. In clinical trials, fatigue was reported in some people who took Cimzia for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

If you feel unusually tired while using Cimzia, talk with your doctor. They may have suggestions to help improve your energy levels. Feeling tired can also be a sign of anemia or liver problems, which can occur with Cimzia. Your doctor may want to do blood tests to check for these conditions.

Hair loss

In clinical trials, some people who took Cimzia experienced hair loss. It’s not known how often this occurred, but it was not common.

Talk with your doctor if you’re worried about hair loss while using Cimzia.

Liver damage

If you’ve ever had hepatitis B (a type of liver infection), Cimzia can cause the hepatitis B virus (HBV) to reactivate (become active in your body again). This can result in liver damage and can sometimes lead to death. Your doctor will test you for HBV before you start treatment with Cimzia. If you have this virus, your doctor will decide whether Cimzia is right for you.

In clinical trials, increased liver enzymes (which can be a sign of liver damage and hepatitis) were reported in some people who took Cimzia. It’s not known how often this side effect occurred or if it was related to hepatitis B reactivation.

Talk with your doctor right away if you develop any symptoms of liver problems while using Cimzia. These include:

  • pain on the right side of your abdomen
  • unusually dark urine or pale stools
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • vomiting
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after receiving Cimzia. It’s not known how often this occurs. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • difficulty breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Cimzia. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Note: Part of the single-dose prefilled syringe is made of a material similar to natural rubber latex. Handling the syringe could cause an allergic reaction if you are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to latex.

The following information describes Cimzia dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to administer the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Cimzia is given as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen. The drug comes in two forms:

  • a solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe
  • a powder in a single-dose vial, which is mixed with liquid by a healthcare professional to form a solution

Both forms of Cimzia come in a strength of 200 mg.

When you first start Cimzia, your doctor or a healthcare professional will give you the injection in their office. In some cases, they may also teach you how to give yourself injections at home (using the prefilled syringe). Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in learning to do this.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis

The usual dosage for adults is 400 mg (2 injections of 200 mg). This is given:

  • for your first dose
  • 2 weeks after your first dose
  • 4 weeks after your first dose

After this, the recommended dosage is 200 mg (1 injection) every 2 weeks, or 400 mg (2 injections of 200 mg) every 4 weeks.

Dosage for plaque psoriasis

The usual dosage for adults is 400 mg (given as 2 injections of 200 mg) every 2 weeks.

However, if you weigh 90 kilograms (kg), which is about 198 pounds (lb), or less, you may start with 400 mg (2 injections of 200 mg) given:

  • for your first dose
  • 2 weeks after your first dose
  • 4 weeks after your first dose

This would be followed by a dosage change to 200 mg (1 injection) every 2 weeks.

Dosage for Crohn’s disease

The usual dosage for adults is 400 mg (2 injections of 200 mg). This is given:

  • for your first dose
  • 2 weeks after your first dose
  • 4 weeks after your first dose

If your Crohn’s symptoms are reduced at this point, your dosage will change to 400 mg (2 injections of 200 mg) every 4 weeks.

Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

The usual dosage for adults is 400 mg (2 injections of 200 mg). This is given:

  • for your first dose
  • 2 weeks after your first dose
  • 4 weeks after your first dose

After this, the recommended dosage is 200 mg (1 injection) every 2 weeks or 400 mg (2 injections) every 4 weeks.

Children’s dosage

For treating polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older, the manufacturer recommends the following dosages. These are based on a child’s weight in kg. (For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 lb.)

  • 10 kg to less than 20 kg (about 22 lb to less than 44 lb): Your child will receive 100 mg for their first dose. They will also receive 100 mg 2 weeks and 4 weeks after their first dose. Then they will receive 50 mg every 2 weeks.
  • 20 kg to less than 40 kg (about 44 lb to less than 88 lb): Your child will receive 200 mg for their first dose. They will also receive 200 mg 2 weeks and 4 weeks after their first dose. Then they will receive 100 mg every 2 weeks.
  • 40 kg or more (about 88 lb or more): Your child will receive 400 mg for their first dose. They will also receive 400 mg 2 weeks and 4 weeks after their first dose. Then they will receive 200 mg every 2 weeks.

Note that there are no forms of Cimzia that allow you to give doses at home that are less than 200 mg. This means that your child may need to go to a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital to receive their Cimzia doses.

What if I miss a dose?

It’s important to keep your appointments with your doctor for Cimzia injections. If you miss an appointment, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule.

If you’re using Cimzia at home and forget to give yourself a dose, inject the drug as soon as you remember and then talk with your doctor. They can help you set up a new schedule for your Cimzia treatment.

To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, you could note your Cimzia schedule on your calendar or try setting a reminder on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Cimzia is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Cimzia is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Cimzia may be used with other drugs to treat any of the conditions Cimzia is approved for. Your doctor will let you know whether you need to take other drugs with Cimzia to treat your condition.

Other drugs that you might take with Cimzia include:

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Cimzia, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are prescribed off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.

Alternatives for rheumatoid arthritis

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis include:

Alternatives for plaque psoriasis

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat plaque psoriasis include:

  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
  • acitretin
  • apremilast (Otezla)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • brodalumab (Siliq)
  • ixekizumab (Taltz)
  • guselkumab (Tremfya)
  • risankizumab (Skyrizi)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • tildrakizumab (Ilumya)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)

Alternatives for Crohn’s disease

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat Crohn’s disease include:

  • corticosteroids, such as prednisone or budesonide (Entocort EC)
  • sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs)
  • azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)
  • 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • natalizumab (Tysabri)
  • vedolizumab (Entyvio)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)

Alternatives for psoriatic arthritis

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat psoriatic arthritis include:

  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Naprosyn)
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
  • sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
  • apremilast (Otezla)
  • leflunomide (Arava)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • golimumab (Simponi)
  • ixekizumab (Taltz)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)
  • brodalumab (Siliq)
  • abatacept (Orencia)
  • tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR)
  • upadacitinib (Rinvoq)

Alternatives for ankylosing spondylitis

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat ankylosing spondylitis include:

  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Naprosyn)
  • corticosteroids, such as prednisone
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
  • sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • golimumab (Simponi, Simponi Aria)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • upadacitinib (Rinvoq)

Alternatives for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis include:

  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Naprosyn)
  • corticosteroids, such as prednisone
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
  • sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • infliximab (Remicade)
  • golimumab (Simponi, Simponi Aria)
  • secukinumab (Cosentyx)
  • upadacitinib (Rinvoq)

Alternatives for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis include:

  • sarilumab (Kevzara)
  • adalimumab (Humira)
  • tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR)
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
  • upadacitinib (Rinvoq)
  • tocilizumab (Actemra)
  • abatacept (Orencia)
  • etanercept (Enbrel)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cimzia and Humira to treat some of the same conditions:

These drugs have other FDA-approved uses that differ. For more information about Cimzia’s uses, see the “Cimzia uses” section. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about the other approved uses of Humira.

Cimzia contains the active ingredient certolizumab. Humira contains the active ingredient adalimumab. Both Cimzia and Humira are biologics (drugs that are made using living cells). They both belong to a class of drugs called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers.

Cimzia comes as a single-dose vial and a single-dose prefilled syringe. Humira comes as a single-dose injection pen and a single-dose prefilled syringe.

Cimzia and Humira are both given by subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen.

To learn more about how these two drugs compare, including the side effects they may cause and recommended dosages, see this Cimzia vs. Humira comparison. Your doctor or pharmacist can also discuss whether Cimzia or Humira might be a better treatment option for your condition.

Cimzia and Enbrel are prescribed for similar uses, as listed here:

These drugs have other FDA-approved uses that differ. For more information about Cimzia’s uses, see the “Cimzia uses” section. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about the other approved uses of Enbrel.

Cimzia contains the active ingredient certolizumab. Enbrel contains the active ingredient etanercept. Both drugs are biologics (drugs made using living cells). Cimzia and Enbrel both belong to a class of drugs called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.)

Cimzia comes as a single-dose vial and a single-dose prefilled syringe. Enbrel comes as a single-dose prefilled syringe, a single-dose prefilled autoinjector, and a single-dose prefilled cartridge to use in the reusable autoinjector. It also comes as a single-dose or multiple-dose vial.

Cimzia and Enbrel are both given by subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen. Enbrel can also be given into the upper arm.

To learn more about how these two drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s not known whether Cimzia should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Cimzia may pass into breast milk, though no side effects were reported in children who were breastfed by someone using the drug in clinical trials. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Cimzia.

The manufacturer of Cimzia makes no recommendations about birth control during Cimzia treatment. Your doctor can recommend birth control options to use while you’re receiving the drug.

You should administer Cimzia according to your doctor’s or healthcare professional’s instructions.

Cimzia is given by subcutaneous injection. The injection sites used are the thigh or abdomen. You may need 1 or 2 injections for each dose. If you need 2 injections, they should be given in different places (at least 1 inch apart) at these injection sites.

When you first start using Cimzia, your doctor will give you the injection at their office. They might also teach you how to give yourself injections at home (using the prefilled syringe).

The manufacturer of Cimzia has a video series of instructions on how to give yourself Cimzia injections. They also provide written step-by-step instructions as a booklet you can download.

When to inject

Cimzia is usually administered once every 2 weeks or once every 4 weeks. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. You can give yourself a dose at any time of day on your scheduled day.

To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, write your schedule on your calendar. You can also try setting a reminder on your phone.

There aren’t any known interactions between Cimzia and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol can worsen symptoms of psoriasis and Crohn’s disease for some people. The relationship between alcohol and arthritic diseases is not clear.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to drink while you’re using Cimzia.

Cimzia can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Cimzia can also affect certain lab test results.

Cimzia and other medications

The following text gives examples of medications that can interact with Cimzia. Not all drugs that may interact with Cimzia are discussed here.

Before using Cimzia, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Cimzia and immunosuppressant drugs

Immunosuppressants are drugs that reduce your immune system activity. Cimzia can also reduce your immune system activity. Receiving Cimzia with an immunosuppressant can raise your risk of serious infections.

Examples of immunosuppressant drugs that can raise the risk of infections with Cimzia include:

  • corticosteroids such as prednisone
  • methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)

Cimzia and certain other biologics

Cimzia is a biologic (a drug made from living cells). Cimzia is not recommended to be used in combination with other biologics that treat arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or psoriasis because it raises your risk of serious infections.

Examples of other biologics that are not recommended for use with Cimzia include:

Cimzia and live vaccines

Getting a live vaccine right before starting Cimzia or while using Cimzia can cause serious infections.

Live vaccines contain weakened forms of viruses or bacteria. They don’t cause infections in people with healthy immune systems. However, they could cause infections if your immune system activity is reduced by using Cimzia.

While you’re using Cimzia, you shouldn’t get live vaccines such as:

If you’ve received a live vaccine right before starting Cimzia, your doctor may postpone the start of Cimzia treatment.

It is safe to get inactive (not live) vaccines, such as the flu shot, while you’re using Cimzia.

Cimzia and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Cimzia. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while receiving Cimzia.

Cimzia and lab tests

Cimzia doesn’t affect blood clotting in your body. However, Cimzia may affect the results of certain tests that measure how long it takes your blood to clot. One of these tests is the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test.

Abnormal test results may suggest that you have a problem with your blood clotting, when in fact you don’t. If you need to have a test done to check how your blood clots, make sure your doctor knows you’re using Cimzia. In most cases, you’ll only need this type of test done if your doctor thinks you may have a problem with blood clotting.

Cimzia is approved to treat conditions that are all partly caused by an overactive immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Your immune system typically protects you from infections and cancers. However, if your immune system is overactive, it produces too many proteins that cause inflammation. Inflammation is a key feature in all the conditions Cimzia treats. Inflammation causes the symptoms of these diseases, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain with Crohn’s disease, joint pain and stiffness with arthritis, and skin plaques (thick, scaly patches) with psoriasis.

Cimzia is a biologic therapy that works by reducing inflammation. Biologics are drugs that are made using living cells. They’re designed to target specific proteins in your body. Cimzia is a type of biologic called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. TNF is a protein that causes inflammation, and it’s produced in excessive amounts in the conditions Cimzia is approved to treat.

Cimzia works by attaching to TNF and blocking its effects. This can reduce joint inflammation in arthritis, bowel inflammation in Crohn’s disease, and skin plaques in psoriasis.

How long does it take to work?

Cimzia starts to work as soon as you have your first injection. However, it may take a few weeks before you notice a reduction in your symptoms.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cimzia.

Is Cimzia a steroid?

No, Cimzia is not a steroid. Steroids (also called corticosteroids) are drugs that reduce inflammation in your body. Cimzia also reduces inflammation, but it works in a different way than steroids. Cimzia is a type of drug called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker.

Is it safe to take antibiotics while I’m using Cimzia?

Yes, if your doctor prescribes this medication. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. If you get a bacterial infection during Cimzia treatment, you’ll need to take an antibiotic to treat it. Cimzia reduces your immune system activity, so you’re less able to fight infections while you’re receiving it.

If you get a serious infection, you may need to stop using Cimzia until the antibiotic clears up the infection.

Can I receive Cimzia if I have diabetes?

Yes, if your doctor prescribes this. However, you may be more at risk of getting infections. Both diabetes and Cimzia can raise your risk of getting infections. To help avoid infections:

  • make sure all your immunizations are up to date before you start Cimzia
  • get the flu shot every year
  • if possible, stay away from people who have an infection
  • wash your hands often
  • practice good foot care to avoid foot ulcers and infections

Talk with your doctor right away if you get any symptoms of an infection during Cimzia treatment.

Is Cimzia a biologic?

Yes, Cimzia is a biologic. Biologics are drugs made using living cells. Cimzia is a type of biologic called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker.

As with all medications, the cost of Cimzia can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Cimzia or help to understand your insurance coverage, help is available.

A savings program called CIMplicity is available for Cimzia. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 844-277-6853 or visit the program website.

Biosimilar version: Cimzia contains the active ingredient certolizumab pegol, which is a biologic medication. It’s not available as a biosimilar. (Biosimilars are like a generic version of a biologic medication.) Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name biologics.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warnings

This drug has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of serious infections

Cimzia reduces your immune system activity, which can make your immune system less able to fight germs. This increases your risk of getting infections, some of which are serious or may become serious.

Serious infections include tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia, kidney infection, and bacterial, fungal, or viral infections that spread throughout your body. Serious infections may need to be treated in a hospital and can sometimes be fatal. Your doctor will test you for TB before you start treatment with Cimzia.

Contact your doctor right away if you get any symptoms of infection during Cimzia treatment. These may include:

  • fever
  • chills
  • a bad cough
  • coughing up blood
  • discolored, warm, or painful areas of skin
  • skin sores
  • urinating often, with a burning sensation when you urinate
  • muscle aches
  • shortness of breath
  • unexpected weight loss
  • fatigue

If you get an infection while using Cimzia, your doctor will prescribe medication to treat it. If you develop a serious infection, you may need to stop using Cimzia until the infection has been successfully treated.

To help avoid infections:

  • wash your hands often, especially if you’ve been in public places
  • stay away from people who have infections (especially coughs, colds, or flu)
  • ask your doctor if there are any vaccines you should have before you start Cimzia

Possible risk of cancer

Cimzia reduces your immune system activity, which can make your immune system less able to attack and destroy cancer cells. Because of this, Cimzia may increase your risk for developing certain types of cancer. These include lymphoma, leukemia, and skin cancer.

Your doctor will monitor you closely throughout your Cimzia treatment by doing blood tests and skin examinations. Talk with your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your skin while you’re using Cimzia.

In clinical trials, a few cases of cancer were reported in people who took Cimzia. However, cancers occurred at a similar rate in people who took a placebo (a treatment with no active drug ingredient). Cimzia is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, and cancers have been reported in people receiving other TNF blockers. In some cases, cancers occurred more frequently in people receiving a TNF blocker than in people receiving a placebo.

Lymphoma and other rare cancers have been reported in children and teenagers treated with TNF blockers. Some of these cancers have led to death.

Other precautions

Before starting Cimzia, talk with your doctor about your health history. Cimzia may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Cimzia, see the “Cimzia side effects” section.

Do not use more Cimzia than your doctor recommends.

If you think you’ve received too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Cimzia vials and prefilled syringes will have an expiration date printed on the label. The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Cimzia vials and prefilled syringes should be stored in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Keep them in their carton to protect them from light. Do not freeze Cimzia.

You can keep Cimzia prefilled syringes at room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C) for up to 7 days if needed. This might be helpful if you’re traveling and need to administer your Cimzia dose while you’re away. Be sure to keep the syringes in their carton to protect them from light.

If necessary, unopened Cimzia vials can be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C) for up to 6 months.

If Cimzia vials or prefilled syringes have been stored at room temperature, do not put them back in the refrigerator.

Disposal

If you no longer need to use Cimzia and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from receiving the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.