Remicade vs humira

I started with remicade and after it started failing I changed to Humira, then stopped after a remission (should have kept it).

Humira has less chance of reactions (not much less) and a effectiveness slightly higher. Uses humanized agent.

I had both with no serious side effects.

These biological are considered 'safer' than Azathioprine by many docs.

Good luck.

Yep, it is.

Consider that humira shots are more handy than the three/four hour remicade infusion. I liked both!

I was on Humira for 3 years and felt GREAT on it until it stopped working. I am nor on Remicade and it is working as well (I have some bacterial issues that I am currently trying to rfight which is keeping me from feeling 100%, but that has nothing to do with Remicade). I have heard opposite to what Djjn said, as the doctor that works in the infusion center I go to believes Remicade is a little more effective than Humira.

Humira is definitely more convenient. You have to go to an infusion center to get Remicade. Humira is generally every 2 weeks and Remicade is every 2 months. Overall, I think I prefer Humira due to the convenience. Both are good drugs if you are someone who responds well to biologics.

The studies that I've seen show little difference between Remicade and Humira in efficacy, and yet I can't help feeling that Remicade is the somewhat more effective drug. My IBD nurse said it was, for example. Would be really curious to know what she based that on.

That said, like I've said, the studies don't show much difference. If Remicade is more effective, it is only by a slight margin. Personally, Remicade did virtually nothing for me. My consultant claims my blood work showed improvement - lowered platelets etc. - and I'm sure he is entirely correct on that, but nevertheless it is hard to be overly impressed by a med when you are in hospital a month after starting it. He thinks I built up antibodies to the Remicade and on that he is probably right, especially as I was not on a concomitant immunesuppressant.

That's the main drawback of all the anti-TNFs in fact. They work brilliantly for a lot of people at first, but it seems almost impossible to avoid developing antibodies sooner or later. (Taking an immunesuppressant only delays the process, it doesn't prevent it.)

Anyhow I'm on methotrexate now and will be on Humira too, if the funding for that is approved. I must say, I found the Remicade infusions quite tedious, so I'm not sorry to be giving up those - the only thing I'll miss are the staff, who were lovely.