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Remicade vs Humira

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Posted 6/26/2008 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hey All!

I have a few questions!

Is Humira more toxic than Remicade? I thought the only difference was that Remicade was made of mouse antibodies and Humira was made of human antibodies?

I heard from a nurse today that Humira should be a "last resort" and should only be used as such.

I am currently on Remicade, but it is not strong enough to keep me in remission without the use of prednisone (and sometimes prednisone doesn't work). Are there any suggestions?

Is Humira "more" of an immuno-suppressant than Remicade? Please Help!

Take care!!!

-Em =-)~
Posted 6/26/2008 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
In terms of toxicity, both Remicade and Humira have a long list of potential side effects. Most of the potential side effects are similar because both drugs work to inhibit the tumor necrosing factor. You are correct that their components are different but their action is very similar. I am not sure why the nurse made the statement she did. Many people start out on Humira now due to the time constraints of doing Remicade infusions every 6-8 weeks.

People who find that Remicade begins to lose effectiveness have successfully switched to Humira. There is a caveat that goes with this statement. A rather large percentage of people that have reacted negatively to Remicade find that Humira either does not provide relief for them or that they have a reaction to the Humira too.

Humira's immunosuppressant capabilities might be greater for YOU if Remicade has lost its efficacy. There is also a segment of the population that just do not respond to anti-TNF meds like Remicade and Humira. These people find neither drug provides any reduction in symptoms. So how a new medication will work for you depends entirely on your body's make-up. We are all so very different and respond accordingly.

I hope you and your GI can talk through your problems, especially the fact that you are not getting relief from Remicade and make a decision that works well for you.
Posted 6/26/2008 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Emma,

You and your GI may have already checked into this, but just in case not, here it goes...

I went through a similar situation with Remicade after being on it for a year or two. The effectiveness dropped off, and I ended up back in the hospital. My GI discovered that some people needed higher doses of the drug than originally thought. He upped mine from 400mg to 1000mg with good results. I've been at the 1000mg level now for a few years and it is working well. I've run into a few doctors, my rheumatologist for one, that wasn't aware of the higher dosage techniques.

If you and your GI have already tried this, then you don't need my input, but if not, you might want to have your GI check into that as an option.

Also,
My GI originally referred to Remicade as a "last resort" drug when I first went on it. Back then I think Remicade was the only drug in this family that was approved for Crohn's, so it was considered a "last resort" before surgery. It was for me. I was facing surgery and he decided to try the Remicade as a last resort. Lucky for me it worked. Could be that the nurse is just a bit behind on things. Also, more and more doctors are starting to use Remicade as a first choice in some cases, skipping the traditional drugs like Asacol and the like and going straight to the good stuff.
Posted 6/26/2008 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
All I was told by a top specialist of Toronto Mount Sinai, is that Remicade and Humira are the same type but have different molecules. I have had the Remicade and was highly allergic and I wanted a second opinion on going onto Humira. Been on Humira 3 months now only 2 of weeks of 3 months I felt good. Now I am on a combo of Prednisone 40mg and taper one pill a week, started last Saturday. I live in Canada and with summer holidays any emergencies are slow. I see my GI today, to discuss options because he goes for holidays, and I have meds to help but I wanted to stay on Humira...not surgery, but I will know in a few hours which way he is gonna go. May have to wait til fall. Humira is a last resort, but if it works, then you have it made!
Posted 7/7/2008 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
hi crohn's 4 ever,
I want to ask u something since u live in canada.How medical system works there is your remicade treatment covered by something how much u pay out of your pocket.
Actually my husabnd has a crohns disese we live in usa about 7 yrs move fron India.In India there is remicade but very costly all the cost out of your pocket.Here my husband insaurance covered but we r nervous about long term if my husband job will not working for long term .I am worried and dipress about this disease how people live if anyone not have insaurance with this scary disease.
Please reply me .You can reply me on my email id [email protected]
Posted 2/2/2010 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
hi all.
i stay in INDIA aged just 23 suffering from arthritis since 4 yrs ,the cost of remicade is very very high here.It prevents me from taking the medication.but as a last frontier i did take 6 vials(each 100gm) in three installments.but the pain has restarted after a gap of three months.is there any other alternative to this expensive medicine.and in INDIA most insurance companies do not cover remicade in there policy.
i really wish there is a reduction in the cost of this drug.
Posted 2/3/2010 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor is working on prescribing me Cimzia. When I asked about Remicade, he basically implied that it is "old school" (not his words; my interpretation) and Humira and Cimize were a much better choice. Thoughts?

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