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Does Cimzia come as a pen?

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Posted 1/23/2012 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Or does it just come as a syringe?

Thanks hope all is well!
Posted 1/23/2012 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I think it only comes as a syringe. I was pretty nervous about it, but it's been doable. I think it hurts less than the humira pen.
Posted 1/23/2012 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I do believe that it only comes in syringe format. I have been on Cimzia for 1 1/2 years and find it very easy to self administer with little side effects. I hope this helps.
Posted 1/23/2012 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same question so I called the manufacturer of the drug....there is no pen available.  It only comes in a syringe.
Posted 1/26/2012 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the responses! Sorry it has taken me a few days to get back to you all. So the plan is not to switch to Cimzia but to switch from taking Humira every week to taking two pens every other week.

I was getting tired of injecting my self every week so the doctor and I were talking about maybe switching to Cimzia since it is not as often, but he called one the big GI docs at Darmouth-Hitchcock where he did his schooling and he recommended not switching since there has been many cases of people not having success when switching so he suggested doing two pens at one time.

Hope all is well!
Posted 1/29/2012 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've heard Cimzia hurts a LOT more than Humira, so I don't think you'd want it in a pen. A friend of mine gave herself Humira but has to have her husband give her the cimzia because it's painful and is pushed it a lot slower.

Have you tried Humira syringes or have you always done pens? For a long time I was reluctant to try syringes but since you can push the med in slower, it hurts far less and now I won't go back to pens.
Posted 1/29/2012 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah when I was in the hospital they used the syringes. I'm sure they hurt a lot less.

I just haven't had the best experiences with syringes because I'm so skinny. I was left with huge bruises all over my legs from the heparin shots in the hospital. I know it's different because I would be doing it, I just haven't quite gotten past that mental block yet lol.

Post Edited (Endeavor08) : 1/30/2012 10:23:07 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/14/2012 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I've just started on Cimzia. (for RA) I've only done 4 injections so far, but wanted to post that I have had NO pain. You probably know these tips, but if not....I think they may be the key....

Let the syringes get to room temp BEFORE injecting. (I take them out of the fridge about an hour before use).

Ice the injection site til it slightly tingles. (I use frozen food transport packets or some frozen veggies in a plastic bag)

Quickly use the alcohol swab.

Pinch a "wad" (ha! medical term!) of skin between the fingers in your hand that you are not using for the syringe.

Hold the syringe below the plunger and sort of toss (not letting go of course) at an angle into your "wad" of skin.

Release the "wad" of skin and slowly (like you have a choice) inject the fluid from the syringe (seems like this takes about 2 minutes, each syringe).

This method has proved pain free to me every time. (Previously I used Enbrel pins.....this is MUCH more comfortable!!! MUCH!!!)

Oh...a key thing I learned today, is to BREATHE when you are doing the injections! Ha! Otherwise you may get a little faint. Not a swell idea.

Oh...I have only done this in my upper thighs...have not tried the tummy area. I am happy with the thigh results. (In either spot, thanks to the years of prednisone, I have no trouble grabbing that "wad" of skin!)
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