Health Boards
Wed-15-10-2014, 13:37 PM
Cimzia: (generic name certolizumab pegol) Is taken by injection under the skin and after tuition the patient can do this themselves, see first post in this thread for some tips. The recommended starting dose of Cimzia for adult patients is 400 mg (given as 2 subcutaneous injections of 200 mg each) at weeks 0, 2 and 4. After the starting dose, the recommended maintenance dose of Cimzia for adult patients with psoriatic arthritis is 200 mg every 2 weeks.
Once clinical response is confirmed, an alternative maintenance dosing of 400 mg every 4 weeks can be considered. data suggest that clinical response is usually achieved within 12 weeks of treatment. Continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered in patients who show no evidence of therapeutic benefit within the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Patients should be checked for tuberculosis (TB) before taking Cimzia and you should have regular blood tests.
Who should not take Cimzia?
*People with active serious infections, history of recurrent infections.
*Children - Cimzia is not aproved for under 18s.
*Have or have had hepatitis B.
*Use the medicine Kineret® (anakinra), Orencia® (abatacept), Rituxan® (rituximab), or Tysabri® (natalizumab).
*You should also tell your doctor if you have lived in an area where there is an increased risk for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis). Your doctor should know these areas.
*Have or have had any type of cancer.
*Have congestive heart failure.
What should I watch for AFTER starting Cimzia?
*Heart Failure including new heart failure or worsening of heart failure you already have. Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
*Allergic Reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction include a skin rash, swelling or itching of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, or trouble breathing.
*Hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients who carry the virus in their blood.
*Feel unwell, Skin or eyes look yellow, Tiredness (fatigue), Poor appetite or vomiting, Pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen).
*New or worsening nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre syndrome, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes.
*Dizziness, numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your arms or legs.
*Blood Problems. Your body may not make enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help stop bleeding. Symptoms include a fever that doesn’t go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.
*Immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include shortness of breath, joint pain, or a rash on the cheeks or arms that worsens with sun exposure.
The most common side effects of CIMZIA include: upper respiratory infections (flu, cold), rash, and urinary tract infections (bladder infections).
cimzia.com
Tips on using the bio treatments: Biological Treatments For Psoriasis
Once clinical response is confirmed, an alternative maintenance dosing of 400 mg every 4 weeks can be considered. data suggest that clinical response is usually achieved within 12 weeks of treatment. Continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered in patients who show no evidence of therapeutic benefit within the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Patients should be checked for tuberculosis (TB) before taking Cimzia and you should have regular blood tests.
Who should not take Cimzia?
*People with active serious infections, history of recurrent infections.
*Children - Cimzia is not aproved for under 18s.
*Have or have had hepatitis B.
*Use the medicine Kineret® (anakinra), Orencia® (abatacept), Rituxan® (rituximab), or Tysabri® (natalizumab).
*You should also tell your doctor if you have lived in an area where there is an increased risk for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis). Your doctor should know these areas.
*Have or have had any type of cancer.
*Have congestive heart failure.
What should I watch for AFTER starting Cimzia?
*Heart Failure including new heart failure or worsening of heart failure you already have. Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
*Allergic Reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction include a skin rash, swelling or itching of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, or trouble breathing.
*Hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients who carry the virus in their blood.
*Feel unwell, Skin or eyes look yellow, Tiredness (fatigue), Poor appetite or vomiting, Pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen).
*New or worsening nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre syndrome, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes.
*Dizziness, numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your arms or legs.
*Blood Problems. Your body may not make enough of the blood cells that help fight infections or help stop bleeding. Symptoms include a fever that doesn’t go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.
*Immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include shortness of breath, joint pain, or a rash on the cheeks or arms that worsens with sun exposure.
The most common side effects of CIMZIA include: upper respiratory infections (flu, cold), rash, and urinary tract infections (bladder infections).
cimzia.com
Tips on using the bio treatments: Biological Treatments For Psoriasis
