Simponi
(golimumab)
Calms down the immune system.
Our bottom line
Simponi (golimumab) effectively calms down your immune system, but it is given as a shot and puts you at risk of serious infections like tuberculosis or hepatitis B.
- Drug class: Autoimmune
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Simponi (golimumab) is only injected once a month.
- Simponi (golimumab) comes in a prefilled syringe or autoinjector. You won't need to measure out the medication.
- While taking Simponi (golimumab), you may continue to use other drugs prescribed by your doctor that help treat your condition, such as NSAIDS (like ibuprofen) and steroids.
What to expect from Simponi, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Like other immunosuppressive drugs, Simponi (golimumab) can awaken (reactivate) infections.
- Simponi (golimumab) can increase the risk of lymphoma, leukemia, and other cancers.
- Not the best choice if you have a history of heart failure or nervous system problems like multiple sclerosis.
- You'll need to have regular blood tests before and during treatment to make sure you don't have any problems taking Simponi (golimumab).
What to expect from Simponi, on one page
Download Fact SheetSimponi (golimumab) blocks a protein called TNF (tumor necrosis factor) that revs up the immune system. Blocking TNF lowers inflammation, relieves symptoms and prevents disease progression. Simponi (golimumab) is also known as a biologic DMARD (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug) - or just a "biologic" - when used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
- Drug class: Autoimmune
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Dosage forms
- Injection
Prices and coupons
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What to expect when you take Simponi (golimumab) for Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Common cold
- Injection site reactions
- Viral infections (such as influenza and herpes)
- Bronchitis
- Superficial fungal infections
- Sinusitis
Side effect rates for Simponi (golimumab)
- Common cold16%16%13%13%
- Injection site reaction6%6%2%2%
- Viral infections (such as influenza and herpes)5%5%3%3%
- Increased liver function test (ALT)4%4%3%3%
- Increased liver function test (AST)3%3%2%2%
- High blood pressure3%3%2%2%
- Bronchitis2%2%1%1%
- Superficial fungal infections2%2%1%1%
- Sinusitis2%2%1%1%
- Dizziness2%2%1%1%
- Tingling sensation2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Simponi.
People taking Simponi felt side effect more
People taking Simponi felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Simponi (golimumab)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Taking other immunosuppressant drugs
- › Age 65 or older
- › Active, chronic, or recurrent infection
Simponi (golimumab) can increase your risk of serious or life-threatening infections. In some cases, existing inactive infections can be reactivated such as tuberculosis (TB) or hepatitis B virus (HBV). You may need to take medicine for TB before you can begin taking Simponi (golimumab). If you develop symptoms of cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of skin/eyes, appetite/weight loss, vomiting, change in stool color, stomach discomfort, or skin rash, tell your doctor and get medical care right away.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.