Golimumab
About Golimumab
Golimumab belongs to the Anti-monoclonal TNF (Tumor necrosis factor) class of medicines that help reduce signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorders. It is primarily used in the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, active ulcerative colitis, and active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients. This medicine is used in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
Golimumab consists of Golimumab, which works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface, thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive. This helps reduce inflammation and pain caused by various autoimmune diseases.
Golimumab may cause certain side effects such as nausea, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, dizziness, constipation, rash, and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention or resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist for longer, please consult your doctor. A trained healthcare doctor will administer Golimumab. Hence, do not self-administer. Your physician will decide the dose and duration of the medicine based on the type and severity of the condition.
Golimumab should be avoided if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have any history of serious infections, invasive fungal infections, optimistic infections, cancer, hepatitis B virus infection, heart failure, liver or kidney diseases, or a weak immune system, as it can worsen your health condition. Golimumab may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert and focused. Golimumab is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as safety has not been established. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking Golimumab.
Uses of Golimumab
Medicinal Benefits
Golimumab contains Golimumab, as an active ingredient that belongs to the class of monoclonal TNF inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface, thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive. This helps reduce inflammation, pain and redness caused by various autoimmune diseases.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Golimumab
- Tingling or numbness
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Nausea
- Upper respiratory tract infections.
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Rash
Drug Warnings
Golimumab should be avoided if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have any history of serious infections, invasive fungal infections, optimistic infections, cancer, hepatitis B virus infection, heart failure, blood disorders, nervous system problems, liver or kidney diseases, or a weak immune system, as it can worsen your health condition. Golimumab may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert and focused. Golimumab is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as safety has not been established. It is not known whether Golimumab can be given to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Do not take live vaccines while being treated with Golimumab to prevent any serious consequences.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Golimumab may interact with other immunosuppressants (certolizumab, infliximab, rituximab), medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (anakinra), live vaccines, and other TNF inhibitors (abatacept).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Golimumab should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, weak immune system (HIV), hepatitis B, cancer, and active serious infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Golimumab. Please consult the doctor.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Golimumab. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is not known whether Golimumab passes into human milk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Golimumab.
Driving
cautionGolimumab will be administered in the hospital setting. Hence, driving is not recommended.
Liver
cautionGolimumab may cause liver disease. Inform your doctor if you have a poor appetite, yellow discolouration of the skin or eyes, and abdominal pain. If you have pre-existing or a history of liver problems, let your doctor know, as this medicine may worsen your condition.
Kidney
consult your doctorLimited data on the effects of Golimumab in patients with kidney impairment is available. If you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Golimumab.
Children
unsafeGolimumab is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching that is less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- Avoid freezing and hot temperatures.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes; instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well and get plenty of sleep.
- Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water.
Special Advise
- It is advised to closely monitor the patient for the development of any active infections during and after the treatment.
- It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any active viral, bacterial, and fungal infections before starting Golimumab.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an auto-immune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue) that causes joint pain and damage. It occurs when the immune system does not work properly. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities and loss of joint function.
Psoriatic arthritis: It is a type of inflammatory arthritis which occurs in patients with psoriasis. It could also occur in patients without psoriasis, particularly in those with a family history of psoriasis. It affects large joints in the lower extremities, the distal joints of toes and fingers, and the back and pelvis. Symptoms include inflammation of joints, difficulty moving, swelling, patches of red, scaly skin and pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis: It is an autoimmune condition that causes pain and stiffness in the spine. The pain generally starts in the lower back and can spread to the neck, damaged joints, or other body parts. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include decreased flexibility, which usually leads to a hunched-forward posture and pain in the back and joints.
Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a serious inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation in the digestive tract. It produces ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine, which may cause bleeding and discharge of pus and mucus. The common symptoms include bloody stools, stomach pain, rectal pain, diarrhoea, fever, or weight loss. Additionally, it may cause other problems such as joint pain or swelling, mouth sores, skin problems, decreased appetite, or nausea. Ulcerative Colitis mostly occurs in people between the age of 15 to 30 years.
FAQs
Golimumab contains Golimumab, which works by inhibiting the TNF-α and TNF-β binding to the cell surface, thereby making the TNF cytokine inactive.
Golimumab affects your immune system and makes you more susceptible to infections. It is not recommended in people with active infections, invasive fungal infections, optimistic infections, cancer, hepatitis B virus infection, heart failure, or weak immune system. Hence, inform your doctor if you have any history of these conditions beforehand.