This page contains a brief description that does not cover the medication. For more information read the review in Felleskatalogen.no for the respective drug.

Definition

Cimzia er Biological treatment which blocks TNF-alpha. Injections. Active ingredient is certolizumab.

• Cimzia is used against t Rheumatoid arthritis og Psoriatic arthritis

Before starting treatment

• Inform yourself about the current medication ("your medication")
• A treatment goal should be set
• Exclude signs of infection (tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C)
  • Blood tests
  • Urine
  • X-ray or CT of lungs
  • Tuberculosis screening: more here

Vaccines

• Consider annual flu vaccine
• Evaluate pneumococcal vaccine before starting treatment (effect for 5-10 years)
• Consider hepatitis B vaccine before initiating treatment (exposed persons)
• "Live vaccines" should not be used
  • More about vaccines here

Dosage

Common dosage as injection under the skin (subcutaneous, sc) against Rheumatoid arthritis in adults:

• Startup: 400mg dose first three times (week 0, week 2 and week 4), then 200mg injection under the skin (subcutaneously) every 2. week or 400mg every 4. week
• Combination with Methotrexate is common

Prescription

• H-prescription which is covered by the patient's health trust

Medical checks / follow-up

• Specialist / Specialist in Rheumatology and General Practitioner

Measurement of serum concentration

• Reference range for serum concentration measurements (at a random time)
• Please see anx.no (certolizumab)

Pregnancy

• In pregnancy, Cimcia passes little to the fetus and the drug can be used during breastfeeding

Patient information

• Link here (Norwegian medical association)
• The Norwegian “Common catalog”
• UpToDate (American side)

Medications, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no

• Bindevevssykdommer.no
• Vaskulitt.no