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Entocort vs. Cimzia

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/8/2010 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Entocort for almost four weeks and think I'm starting to experience improvement. I've had a few good days after a terrible 3-4 weeks. During this episode, I had a colonoscopy which showed a severe flare in the colon. The doctor is working on getting me approved for Cimzia. My question is, if the Entocort is working, am I better off just sticking with it and not going the biologic route, or should I go ahead with the Cimzia?  I confused about which one is better for me (if there is such a thing). Often people refer to the biologics as the big guns, so should they be avoided if at all possible?

Just trying to figure it all out. :-)  And I will pose these questions to the doc on Thursday, of course. Thanks!

Posted 2/9/2010 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
Ask him what part of your colon is affected. If it's anything more than the ascending (right side) colon then Entocort will probably not help. Good luck.
Posted 2/9/2010 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Where in your colon is your disease? As far as I know, Entocort only works in the small intestine and ascending (right) colon. If your flare is severe though, Entocort may not be enough for you. I thought I was getting better too, and now it turns out that I've got a fistula, abscess and I perforated. After a month on Entocort, if you're not feeling almost entirely better, I think you probably need something stronger. It's supposed to clear up a flare in 6 weeks, if it takes any longer than that I'd say it probably isn't strong enough for you (which sounds like the case). I regret not going on something stronger sooner. Doesn't necessarily have to be a biologic, there are a lot of options out there.
Posted 2/9/2010 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback. My entire colon is affected but it appears to stop at the TI, which is clear.

Posted 2/9/2010 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Entocort is a steroid that is meant to be used to get the flare under control. The Cimzia will be used to keep your Crohns under control. Have you tried any of the other meds like Imuran or 6mp? Those might be better to start with than going straight to the Cimzia. Good luck!
Posted 2/9/2010 3:40 PM (GMT 0)

Sorry for hijacking this post but am I understanding this correctly?

Pentasa is a maintenance drug?, Entocort is used to get a flare under control and the immunosuppressants?-is that maintenance/prevention too? Just trying to get it all clear in my mind for Thursdays visit to consultant. Subject to blood test results was going to put son on immunosuppressants Thurs BUT he is now back on solid food (along with Pentasa and 3 weeks of entocort)and so far things are going ok and I would rather that he only takes drugs that are necessary I understand that maintenance drugs are essential but does he really need the suppressants right now? Any thoughts?

OK, think I have just found the anwser after looking up cimzia  which appears to be an immunosuppressant-guess I will have to have this one out with consultant

Post Edited (vixen) : 2/9/2010 8:46:01 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/9/2010 7:13 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Nanners--

Thank you for the feedback. Is Immuran or 6 MP safer than Cimzia? I'm still unclear on why the Cimzia, Humira and Remicade or considered "big guns." I realize they suppress the immune system and that is scary but don't Immuran and 6 MP have their own scary considerations?

I do appreciate the education. I'm so overwhelmed. :-)

Posted 2/9/2010 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
A-TNF drugs such as humira and remicade are considered big guns, because they were orginally designed treat advanced sign/symtoms of crohns (such as fistulazing, blood loss, etc.), but more recently the thought has changed to let's get this under control before the disease gets to that advanced state. Because these are generally drugs that take a couple weeks to months to be effective.

Cimzia is the newest drug out of the "big gun" category, but all them are still rather recent.
Immuran and 6mp from my understanding are considered "safer" in part because they have been around longer and we know what their long term effects are. Futhermore there is a slight more risk in taking an injectable or an iv.

Endocourt is also consider by some as a long term treatment drug.

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