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Humira vs. Remicade


Thu, April 24, 2014 2:39 PM

Hello I share the same fear about these biologic drugs.  I have had UC for ten years.  Over that time I have had three major flares that have required visits to the ER.  The last 2 flares were within this last year.  I have used prednisone to stop these flares.  I have tried the following drugs which did not improve my condition Sulfasalazine, Mesalamine, and azathioprine.  I've currently been off of prednisone for two weeks.  I'm currently taking VSL#3, Cuccurmin, and Fish Oil, and my bowel functions are pretty normal.  I had a colonoscopy in Feb that showed mild to moderate left-sided UC.  My GI doctor is recommending Remicade or Humira as the next step in treatment.  These drugs seem extreme for the state of my condition.  Does anyone have an opinion on the use of these drugs?

FPO hans409
Joined Sep 19, 2013

Fri, August 29, 2014 11:26 AM

 Reply posted for jayhybrid.

Steroids are more dangerous

FPO olkowski
Joined Aug 29, 2014

Fri, August 29, 2014 11:26 AM

 Reply posted for jayhybrid.

Steroids are more dangerous

FPO olkowski
Joined Aug 29, 2014

Mon, June 30, 2014 2:24 PM

 Reply posted for viva.

Ask your doctor about SImponi. That's what I'm on. It's a once a month injection, that you give yourself. 

FPO jayhybrid
Joined Feb 7, 2013

Sun, June 29, 2014 5:31 PM

 Reply posted for hans409.

You've had more than one flare that sent you to the ER.  the mesalamine's are or maintenance but you still need a preventative medicine.  Generally that is either 6MP or Imuran as a first line.  Then they move to biologics like Humira or Remicade.  It sounded like Imuran didn't work for you so these two meds shouldn't be seen as overkill at all.  I can see maybe trying 6MP as a next step but my understanding is Imuran is a derivative and not likely to be that much different.

Good luck one way or the other.

FPO gcrawford
Joined Mar 14, 2017

Fri, June 27, 2014 11:11 AM

 Reply posted for arnoldh.

Sorry. Twice a month, not twice a week.

FPO arnoldh
Joined Jun 27, 2014

Fri, June 27, 2014 11:11 AM

 Reply posted for ronmexico.

The biggest factor for me deciding to take Humira vs Remicade is time. It takes me literally three minutes to inject myself twice a week at home, for a total of six minutes per month. To take Remicade, you need to take trips to the hospital and take it intravenously. My work and home schedule does not allow for that kind of time to be taken. Also, Humira costs just $5/month.

FPO arnoldh
Joined Jun 27, 2014

Thu, June 12, 2014 11:36 AM

 Reply posted for hans409.

Hi Hans,

I took Humira first. It worked for a few months, but then stopped working.

I took Remicade for about 8 months and it worked amazingly. After the 8 months, I built up a tolerance to it and had to stop taking it.

I am now taking Cimzia. I have been on it about a year and it is working great.

I did not have any side effects with any of these medications. Remicade was the easiest to deal with because the infusions were 8 weeks apart, rather than weekly injections with the others.

-Ron

FPO ronmexico
Joined Jun 12, 2014

Tue, June 10, 2014 1:35 PM

 Reply posted for viva.

I've been on Humira for more than a year and have no noticeable side effects. I'm also on 3mg of Entocort (can't seem to get below 3mg without significant energy loss). Maybe that's a side effect from Humira. But overall Humira has been really good for me.

FPO moodykevin
Joined Jun 10, 2014

Wed, May 28, 2014 1:44 PM

 Reply posted for viva.

Viva,
Sorry to hear about your side affects.  Thanks for your input.  Do you use a probiotic VSL#3 which is available by RX.    
I take it and it has helped my allergies.  I too suffer terrible fatigue, not sure what the answer for that is, since we should avoid caffine.  good luck and I wish you health.

FPO hans409
Joined Sep 19, 2013

Wed, May 28, 2014 1:31 PM

 Reply posted for viva.

FPO hans409
Joined Sep 19, 2013

Wed, May 28, 2014 12:02 AM

 Reply posted for hans409.

I'm been taking Remicade for 2 months now.I feel more tired and i'm been having more allergies.So if you don't feel bud enought don't take it

FPO viva
Joined Oct 22, 2013

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