Remicade to Humira anyone?

Hi everyone,

I dont post very often but I continue to read alot of the posts on a regular basis.  I have been on Remicade for over 5 years now and am considering changing medications and beginning Humira.  My GI tells me that the results have been good for his patients stopping Remicade and changing to Humira.  I am considering the change due to the convience.  I currently have my infusions every 6 weeks at 10mg/kg and am just sick of going.  What do you think?  Any experience or input would be greatly appreciated.

Good health to all!

I felt Remicade stopped working for me a year or so again, I was at double dose every six weeks and I switched to Humira.  Worked much better.  Unfortunately the Humira costs $500 every three months, where the Remicade was my $30 copay every six weeks.  I wish the Remicade continued to work, though it is way more convenient doing the shots at home.

I had excellent results with Remicade for 2 years. Then I began to feel worse after my infusions than I did right before receiving them. I tried prednisone pre-medication schedules but those only helped for 2 infusions. The switch was made to Humira. Unfortunately my adverse reaction to Remicade only intensified on Humira. My GI told me that 90% of people that have reactions to Remicade would have a similar reaction to Humira.

I guess what I am saying is that I wouldn't switch if the Remicade is working for you.

I haven't heard that 90% of people with reactions to Remicade have them with Humira. I thought because Humira was human proteins there was less chance of a reaction. If Remicade is working for you, however, I would stay on it as long as possible... once you quit it, you can't go back to it so that is a huge issue.

I also am on Remicade for over 2 years. If the Remicade is working for you why switch. I would recommed staying on Remicade until it does not work for you. Then switch to Humira. Once you stop Remicade its very hard to go back on it because you build up anti-bodys to Remicade.

I wouldn't fix what ain't broke. I know it's a bummer to get the infusions but the risk of not responding to the Humira and going into a flare (and Remicade no longer working for you since you got off it) would be too much for me to take.

I stopped Remicade when I started to react to it and wasn't responding anymore. I was really bummed as the drug was awesome for me. I started Humira and thankfully am doing great on it (and haven't heard the 90% either, quite the opposite actually). But I would have stuck it out with Remicade if it had worked so I don't exhaust all my options.