What is Cimzia?
Cimzia injection is used to treat Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in certain patients. Cimzia works to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms by blocking a protein called TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha). Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) belongs to the drug class TNF alfa inhibitors..
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What Conditions Does Cimzia Treat?
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is an injectable biologic medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several inflammatory conditions in adults and children. As a TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blocker, it helps reduce inflammation that causes pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
FDA-Approved Uses in Adults
1. Crohn’s Disease
- Purpose: Reduces symptoms and maintains remission
- For: Adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s who haven’t responded well to conventional treatments
- Key Benefit: Helps control intestinal inflammation when other medications fail
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Purpose: Manages joint pain and swelling
- For: Adults with moderate-to-severe active RA
- Key Benefit: Can be used alone or with methotrexate to slow joint damage
3. Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
- Purpose: Treats both joint inflammation and skin symptoms
- For: Adults with active PsA
- Key Benefit: Addresses two major disease components simultaneously
4. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- Purpose: Reduces spinal inflammation
- For: Adults with active AS
- Key Benefit: Improves mobility and reduces morning stiffness
5. Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
- Purpose: Controls inflammation
- For: Adults with visible signs of inflammation but no definitive AS on X-rays
- Key Benefit: Early intervention for spinal arthritis
6. Plaque Psoriasis
- Purpose: Clears skin lesions
- For: Adults with moderate-to-severe cases who need systemic treatment
- Key Benefit: Alternative when topical treatments fail
Pediatric Use
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA)
- Purpose: Reduces joint inflammation
- For: Children ages 2 years and older
- Key Benefit: One of few biologics approved for young children with arthritis
Important Considerations
- Not a cure: Controls symptoms but doesn’t eliminate the underlying condition
- Requires ongoing treatment: Benefits stop if medication is discontinued
- Combination therapy: Often used with other medications like methotrexate
- Monitoring needed: Regular check-ups for side effects and effectiveness
How Cimzia Works Differently
Unlike some other TNF inhibitors, Cimzia is PEGylated, meaning it stays in the body longer. This allows for:
- Less frequent dosing (every 2-4 weeks)
- More consistent drug levels
- Potentially fewer side effects
Patients should discuss all treatment options with their healthcare provider to determine if Cimzia is appropriate for their specific condition.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
- Abatacept
- Adalimumab
- Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
- Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
- Anakinra
- Anifrolumab-fnia
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Baricitinib
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live
- Infliximab
- Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Natalizumab
- Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
- Rituximab
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Smallpox Monkeypox Vaccine
- Typhoid Vaccine, Live
- Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Vedolizumab
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
- Zoster Vaccine, Live
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common Effects
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- body aches or pain
- chills
- cough
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty with breathing
- ear congestion
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- hoarseness
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- sneezing
- sore throat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common Effects
- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- chest pain or tightness
- frequent urination
- pain in the arms, ankles, knees, or legs
- painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
- rapid weight gain
- stomach pain
- tingling of the hands or feet
- unusual weight gain or loss
Rare Effects
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- coughing or spitting up blood
- diarrhea
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- feeling of warmth
- general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness
- itching, skin rash
- joint pain or swelling
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches
- nausea
- night sweats
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- sudden high fever or low-grade fever for months
- sweating
- swelling of the lymph glands
- weakness
Incidence
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red, scaling, or crusted skin
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
Cimzia Uses by Condition
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Helps reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling while slowing disease progression.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Manages both skin and joint symptoms, improving flexibility and reducing flare-ups.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Relieves spinal inflammation and helps maintain posture.
Crohn’s Disease
Reduces intestinal inflammation, helping patients achieve and maintain remission.
Cimzia Dose and Administration
- Standard dose for most conditions: 400 mg at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by 200 mg every two weeks or 400 mg every four weeks.
- Administration: Subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen.
- Missed Dose: Take as soon as remembered; do not double up.
Cimzia Cost and Manufacturer Details
- Manufacturer: UCB Pharma
- Average Cost: Varies between $4,000–$5,000 per month in the U.S. before insurance; lower in countries with public healthcare coverage.
Drug Interactions with Cimzia
Avoid combining Cimzia with:
- Other biologics (e.g., adalimumab, etanercept)
- Live vaccines
- Strong immunosuppressants without doctor’s advice
