What's the difference between Cimzia and Humira?
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Humira (adalimumab) are two different medicines but they are from the same class of medications called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors or blockers. Both medicines are approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, but Humira also treats several other autoimmune inflammatory diseases as well. For some diseases, Humira is safe for children, while Cimzia is only indicated for adults.
Each drug has a different chemical structure and is manufactured using different technology, though they both block a step in the inflammatory immune process.
Another difference between the two medicines relates to pregnancy. Cimzia crosses the placenta in negligible amounts during pregnancy, while Humira actively crosses the placenta during the third trimester and may affect the immune response in exposed infants. Patients should work with their physician to weigh the benefits and risks of taking medication during pregnancy.
Both medicines come only as shots that are administered under the skin (called subcutaneous injection). The exact dose and how often the drug is given depends on which disease is being treated. In general, Humira is given every other week and Cimzia is given every four weeks.
In a head-to-head comparison published in the Lancet in 2016, the drugs had similar efficacy and safety among 915 randomized patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the non-responder patients in one group were able to safely switch to the other drug.
Because TNF inhibitors work by blocking a step in the body's immune response, both of these medicines increase a person's risk for infections as a side effect.
Related questions
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine DailyMed. Humira. February 2021. Available at: https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=608d4f0d-b19f-46d3-749a-7159aa5f933d&audience=consumer [Accessed June 24, 2022].
- U.S. National Library of Medicine DailyMed. Cimzia. March 2021. Available at: https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b4c2c9dc-a0bb-4d64-a667-a67ebe88392d [Accessed June 14, 2022].
- Vulliemoz M, Brand S, Juillerat P, et al; on behalf of Swiss IBDnet, an official working group of the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology. TNF-Alpha Blockers in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Practical Recommendations and a User's Guide: An Update. Digestion. 2020;101 Suppl 1:16-26. https://doi.org/10.1159/000506898
- Smolen JS, Burmester GR, Combe B, et al. Head-to-head comparison of certolizumab pegol versus adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis: 2-year efficacy and safety results from the randomised EXXELERATE study. Lancet. 2016 Dec 3;388(10061):2763-2774. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31651-8. Epub 2016 Nov 15. Erratum in: Lancet. 2017 Feb 4;389(10068):e2. PMID: 27863807. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31651-8
Read next
How and where is the Cimzia injection given?
Cimzia prefilled syringes can be self-injected at home or administered by a healthcare professional at their clinic or office. Cimzia is injected subcutaneously (this means just under the skin) and there are 2 main areas where Cimzia can be injected:
- The stomach area (your belly) except for a 2-inch circle around your navel (belly button)
- The top and outer part of your thighs, but not your inner thighs or anywhere close to your knee.
The easiest way to inject Cimzia under the skin is to pinch up a fold of skin using your thumb and forefinger on your stomach or thigh. More detailed instructions are below. Your healthcare professional can also show you how to inject Cimzia. Continue reading
Does Cimzia cause hair loss?
Cimzia (certolizumab) may cause a type of hair loss known as alopecia totalis, a complete loss of hair on the scalp. This is not a common side effect but the incidence is not reported. The cause for the hair loss may be due to an immune-system reaction while using Cimzia. Continue reading
What is the mechanism of action for Cimzia?
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. TNF is a protein made by white blood cells that can cause inflammation in the body. Cimzia works by attaching to TNF-α and stops it from working to produce inflammatory substances such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), nitric oxide, and prostaglandins. Continue reading
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