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How long does Cimzia take to work?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Jan 20, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Cimzia injection can work as fast as 1 or 2 weeks in some people for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Its full effectiveness can range from 4 months to 1 year based on your specific medical condition.

Improvements in joint worsening, daily activities and quality of life measures may also occur with Cimzia treatment.

Cimzia is classified as an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic. It is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection.

Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is approved by the FDA to treat:

In clinical studies, Cimzia was evaluated against a placebo, an inactive treatment used as a comparison. Some studies also included NSAIDs, corticosteroids and DMARDS like methotrexate in the Cimzia and placebo groups.

Your results may vary from the following study results. Talk to your doctor to learn more about how long it may take for Cimzia to improve your symptoms.

Clinical studies: How long for Cimzia to work?

Rheumatoid arthritis

Dosing: In rheumatoid arthritis, the Cimzia recommended dose is 400 mg initially and at Weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week. For maintenance dosing, 400 mg every 4 weeks can be considered.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Dosing: In psoriatic arthritis, the Cimzia recommended dose is 400 mg initially and at Weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week. For maintenance dosing, 400 mg every 4 weeks can be considered.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Dosing: For ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Cimzia is given as 400 mg initially and at weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week or 400 mg every 4 weeks.

Plaque Psoriasis

Dosing: In plaque psoriasis, Cimzia is given as 400 mg every other week. For some patients (with body weight ≤ 90 kg), a dose of 400 mg initially and at Weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week may be considered.

Related questions

Crohn’s Disease

Dosing: In Crohn’s disease, Cimzia is given as 400 mg initially and at Weeks 2 and 4. If a clinical response occurs, follow with 400 mg every four weeks

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)

Dosing: For non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, a Cimzia dose of 400 mg is given initially, and at weeks 2 and 4, followed by 200 mg every other week or 400 mg every 4 weeks.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA)

The effectiveness of Cimzia in children with pJIA is based on studies results from Comizia use in rheumatoid arthritis. According to the manufacturer, efficacy was assessed as secondary endpoints through Week 24.

The efficacy was generally consistent with responses in patients with RA, such as:

Dosing for Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis:

Learn More: Cimzia side effects and warnings (in detail)

This is not all the information you need to know about Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

Read next

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

How does the Cimzia copay card work and do I qualify?

If you have commercial insurance you may qualify for a Cimzia copay card for as little as $0 per dose through the CIMplicity Savings Program from UCB, the manufacturer. You can register for the card and download it directly from the manufacturer's website. People with government-sponsored insurance like Medicare or Medicaid do qualify for the copay card. Continue reading

Can Cimzia cause skin problems?

Cimzia [package insert]. Updated January 2023. UCB, Inc. Accessed August 1, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b4c2c9dc-a0bb-4d64-a667-a67ebe88392d

Gawdzik, A., et. al. 2020. Paradoxical Skin Reaction to Certolizumab, an Overlap of Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Psoriasis in a Young Woman Treated for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Case Report with Literature Review. In: Dermatology and Therapy. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs13555-020-00398-4 Continue reading

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