Golimumab (By injection)
goe-LIM-ue-mab
Treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis.
Drug classes
Immune Modulator (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Golimumab injection is used alone or combined with other medicines (eg, methotrexate) to treat the symptoms of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis in the spine or backbone). It is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints along with patches of scaly skin on some areas of the body.
Golimumab injection is used to treat moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in patients who have been treated with other medicines that did not work well.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein or as a shot under your skin.Simponi® Aria™ must be injected slowly, so the IV will need to stay in place for 30 minutes.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Check the liquid in the syringe or autoinjector. It should be clear and colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use Simponi® if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not shake the medicine.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect the medicine from direct light. Keep the medicine in the original package until you are ready to use it.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how golimumab works. Tell your doctor if you are using abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, cyclosporine, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab, theophylline, tocilizumab, medicine that weakens your immune system (such as methotrexate or steroids), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin).
This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to golimumab.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have cancer, heart failure, diabetes, COPD, psoriasis, a weak immune system, Wegener granulomatosis, or active or a history of tuberculosis or hepatitis B, or any type of infection. Tell your doctor if you have a condition that affects your nervous system (such as multiple sclerosis or a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome). Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Higher risk of infection Higher risk of lymphoma or other cancers (including skin cancer) Heart failure Liver problemsThis medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Swollen glands in the neck, underarms, or groin
Trouble breathing, chest pain
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
Warm, red, swollen, or painful skin, blisters, skin sores
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Redness, itching, pain, or swelling where the needle was placed or the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Simponi, Simponi Aria
There may be other brand names for this medicine.