Warnings & Recalls for Golimumab
Golimumab and Pregnancy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has labeled golimumab as a
pregnanc Category B medication. Golimumab is not expected to be harmful to the fetus if taken by a woman who is pregnant. However, your child may have a higher risk of developing an infection while being treated. Women
should not breast-feed during treatment.
Risks Associated with Golimumab
Golimumab has been shown to
increase the risk of certain serious medical conditions including:
- cancers, especially blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, or Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma (HSTCL, an aggressive form of cancer)
- worsening or development of nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis (an inflammatory disease) and seizures (convulsions)
- worsening of psoriasis
- infections, especially if you have recently received a vaccine or if you are around anyone who has an infection
- bleeding disorders or the inability for blood to properly clot
General Warnings
Patients with the following conditions
should not use golimumab:
- an allergy to golimumab or ingredients in the medication
- a serious active infection
- if you currently use other arthritis treatments including abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept, rituximab, tocilizumab, tofacitinib or anakinra, canakinumab or rilonacept (medications for treating CAPS or cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes), certain Chron's disease medicines such as certolizumab, or infliximab
Let your doctor know about any
pre-existing conditions you may have, including if you have:
- any allergies
- a history of recurring infections, have ever tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis, or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- any liver disorders
- heart problems or disease
- any blood disorders such as a low blood platelet or low white blood cell count, or hemoglobin
- diabetes
- any type of cancer
- any condition affecting the nervous system or any autoimmune disorders, if you have a weak immune system, or if you have recently received a vaccine
- if you live in an area where tuberculosis (TB) or fungal infections are common
Golimumab Interactions
Not all medicines may be safe to take with golimumab. Be sure to tell your doctor which medications you are taking before starting use of golimumab, especially any treatments for arthritis, corticosteroids (steroids), blood thinners (anticoagulants), cyclosporine or theophylline.
Golimumab Treatment and Use
Golimumab | Simponi is a generic tumor necrosis factor blocker medication for treating rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (a condition causing inflammation of the joints surrounding the spinal cord and pelvic areas).
Golimumab may be prescribed along with a methotrexate for treatment. This medicine is to be used with high caution in anyone under the age of 18.
How Does Golimumab Work?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints which may be induced by the production of TNF-alpha proteins in the body. Golimumab inhibits these proteins in order to to prevent and reduce swelling.
Golimumab Dosage
Golimumab is available as an injection to be given beneath the skin. You may be asked to administer the injections on your own. Follow all instructions given to you by your doctor as well as on the medication package. Be sure to not shake the solution before injection. Do not use any solution that appears contaminated, has particles in it or is discolored. Each injection should be given at a different site than the previous (by at least 1 inch away). Dispose of syringes and needles properly.
General treatments involve the administration of one 50mg dose each month. Take only the amount prescribed to you by your doctor.
Serious Side Effects of Golimumab