These medications may include biologics, a newer class of drugs.
Biologics work in slightly different ways with different standards of administration and dosing.
Becausebiologic drugstemper the immune response, people taking them are prone to certain infections.
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If you’ve never taken a biologic, your healthcare provider is likely to prescribe an anti-TNF drug first.
Many factors are taken into consideration when choosing the right biologic.
Doctors will take all of these factors into consideration when making a recommendation for treatment.
Generally speaking, their benefits in IBD treatment are expected to outweigh any possible risks.
Cimzia is usually given by injection with a prefilled syringe at home.
After that, the two injections are given every 4 weeks.
Another form of Cimzia is a powder that is mixed and then injected at a doctor’s office.
It is thought to work by binding to 47 integrin, which prevents the integrin from causing inflammation.
Entyvio is approved for use in adults who have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
The loading schedule for Entyvio is 3 infusions at weeks 0, 2, and then 6.
After that, infusions are given about every 8 weeks.
Humira can be given at home through an injection.
Remicade is given to patients through an IV.
Simponi was approved first in 2009 to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
In 2013 it was approved to treat ulcerative colitis.
Because of this, it requires less frequent dosing than Simponi.
It works by minimizing inflammation in people who have Crohns and other immune-mediated diseases.
After that, the medication (360-mg dose) can be self-injected at home every other month.
Side effects include a possible increased risk of infections, including tuberculosis.
The first dose of Stelara is given by infusion, in an infusion center or a doctor’s office.
Patients can give themselves the injection after being trained by a healthcare provider.
Key Points About Stelara
Zymfentra
Zymfentra (infliximab) is abiosimilarto Remicade.
Before taking Zymfentra, all patients must complete a 10-week IV with infliximab.
158(5):1450-1461.
2020;18(10):2179-2191.e6.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Entyvio (vedolizumab) for injection, for intravenous use.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Humira (adalimumab) injection, for subcutaneous use.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Remicade (infliximab) lyophilized concentrate for injection, for intravenous use.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Simponi (golimumab) injection, for subcutaneous use.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Simponi Aria (golimumab) injection, for intravenous use.
AbbVie, Inc.Skyrizi for moderate to severe Crohn’s disease.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Stelara (ustekinumab) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous use.
Food and Drug Administration.Zymfentra label.
Triantafillidis J.Current and emerging drugs for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.DDDT.
2016;50(2):152-156. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000000421
