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Humira or Remicade?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/15/2012 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Looking for some temporary relief while scheduling surgery. Woudl like to get some opinion on how fast these drugs works and potential side effects. I tend to be very sensitive to these drugs so I want to be informed to make the best choice for my situation. I understand that tit's a possibility that neither of these drugs will work....guess I'll find out!
Posted 8/15/2012 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Are you going through insurance? If your diagnosis is UC, then it might be faster to get your insurance to approve Remicade. Remicade is FDA approved to treat UC while Humira is not (yet). My insurance flat out refused Humira this year but approved Remicade. Others do get Humira approved first round. Humira is definitely more convenient and there are no mouse proteins to react to (you infuse Remicade at a facility as there a chance you would have an allergic reaction, Humira is only human protein). I think the cancer risks are similar for both drugs.

Also, did you ask your surgeon about using a biologic? Before surgery some want you off for 30 days, some want you off for 8 weeks, etc.
Posted 8/15/2012 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
For some they work very fast. For some they take a few doses. For some it does nothing at all or just enough to settle things down a bit but not induce remission.

It's a 50/50 thing. I'm hoping my doctor will appeal Humira. Remicade is very expensive for me even after insurance covers 90%.
Posted 8/15/2012 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the exact situation as you, I put off going on remicade for the last year and am going for my first infusion today. I'm only taking it so I can hopefully get some relief from this flare up until I can also see a surgeon.

I've read it works quickly for some but not others so we will see. I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted 8/15/2012 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Humira. Had no trouble with insurance. I've gotten a lot of relief with it. I started feeling a difference right away. Not in remission ,but a whole lot better. Almost there! Slight headache the day and day after injection . Better then pred!!!
Posted 8/18/2012 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for the replies. I checked and my insurance accepts Humira. It's even easier as Remicade need to be pre-authorized. Since I decided on surgery my GI wants me to first speak with the surgeon before prescribing Humira in the meantime. It's been tough as I've been off most of my meds since July 20th due to pancrea***t.
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