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Starting Cimzia Tomorrow - Question About Benadryl

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Posted 9/18/2008 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am starting my first dose of Cimzia tomorrow morning.  I was previously taking Remicade.  With those previous infusions, I would always be given a shot of Benadryl and a couple of Tylenol as a precaution to fight any reactions.  That shot of Benadryl would really knock me out!

For those who are already taking Cimzia, are you also being given Benadryl or Tylenol when you get your shot of Cimzia?  If so, what dose of Benedryl?  Is it as a shot or just a couple of tablets?

Thanks!

 

Posted 9/18/2008 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I will be taking my first shot of Cimzia today too. I talked to the GI nurse yesterday and she said it wasnt necessary to take Tylenol and Benadryl like I did for Remicade. She did say I could if I wanted too though. I have a home health nurse coming to my house this afternoon to give me the Cimzia. I am going to opt against not taking it for now. I took 50 mg. of Benadryl before the Remicade and Tylenol. Are you going to an office to receive your Cimzia tomorrow?
Posted 9/18/2008 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'm going to my GI's office for this shot. They plan on showing me how to give the shot to myself so I can self-inject in the future.

Thanks for the info!
Posted 9/18/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I guess they have a home health nurse to come and give them to me monthly. My GI said I could do them myself in 2 years? (kind of like Humira)..The nurse coming today said it takes 30 minutes to mix it together today . I am kind of nervous but I was when I started Remicade too. Good luck tomorrow. Amy
Posted 9/19/2008 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kasper,

I was under the same impression (that it cannot be self-administered). But, today I was told directly from the representative from Cimzia that it is actually only a "recommendation" that it is only administered by a healthcare professional. In actuality, as long as the patient is comfortable with giving themselves the injection and they are trained to do it correctly, then it is allowed.

For the time being, I'm going to continue to get it through my GI doc. But, in the future, I'll probably start doing it myself.
Posted 9/19/2008 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I never took benedryl or tylenol while on Cimzia (over a year in a clinical trial).  And, I was one who had to take it on Remicade (and still had allergic reactions) so I was very nervous when I first got Cimzia.  Also, I was told when the trial was ending that they would show me how to give myself the shot and I could have the medicine delivered to my home and do it myself.  But, since I ended up switching to Humira (bad choice I think), I don't know if that was really true or not.  But, I'd like to know for sure, as that is one of the things that will help me decide if I want to switch back or not.

Posted 9/19/2008 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Can anyone tell me what the potential usages for Cimzia are - why or for what reason are you receiving it. I have fistula issues at present and have heard it may be helpful - or at least that there is a trial assessing that possibility.

Posted 9/20/2008 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
I will be starting cimzia as well asap...just had my tb test and chest xray...and the home nurse called today to set it up...man i'm nervous--i've refused to even think about these sorts of drugs until now...good luck everyone!
Posted 9/20/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
I chose Cimzia since I wouldnt have to adminster it myself (per Mayo GI) and it only has to be given every month and not every 2 weeks like Humira. It sounded better to try. I would have a hard time giving a shot to myself, but my husband is a diabetic and he could give me a shot. He gives me monthly shots of B12. The home health nurse checked my vitals and so forth too and waited in my home after the injection to make sure I didnt have any reactions after the first dose. I didnt take any pre-meds because I was told they werent necessary.
Posted 9/22/2008 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Well, like I said, I was told this by the representative from Cimzia who came to GI's office to train both the staff there and me on how to administer the medication. And yes, the training did include the reconstitution of the med. If you take a look at their documentation, it does say that Cimzia "should" be injected by a healthcare provider. That doesn't necessarily mean that the patient can't do it themselves. Either way, for the time being, I'm getting it at my GI's office.
Posted 9/25/2008 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
UCB Pharma is the pharmasutical company that makes Cimzia. They have what's called a Cimpay card that covers your co-pays and a home health nurse to administer the shots. The shots are not near as painful as the Humira ones. The Cimzia is sub cutaneous and the Humira was intra muscular. I have been on the first cycle which was at 0,2,and 4 weeks and the first montly dose. I have not had any adverse reactions and I had them all with Remicade. I got around the sleepiness of Benadryl by taking Zyrtec. It also worked much better. My doctor explained the reactions to other biologics (Remicade, Humire, etc.) was your body reacting to the mouse protein that they were made with. I guess Cimzia is made differently. I am off methotrexate and just off Prenisone 1 week!!YEAH!!! For everything I've heard people are tolerating this new med pretty good. Let's all hope maybe this is a step in the right direction for our disease!!
Posted 9/26/2008 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
my 1st doses of Cimzia are being delivered today. Glad to hear feedback is positive! Can't say I'm not nervous!!!!!
Posted 9/26/2008 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
It's now one week after my first dose of Cimzia and I'm definitely feeling better already! I've started to wean off of Prednisone. Hopeing the good results continue!
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