GOLIMUMAB

Golimumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody of the IgG1 subclass. It binds to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and prevents the induction of interleukins (IL-6 and -8), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, which are proinflammatory cytokines that bring about inflammatory diseases.

Uses

Golimumab is used as an immunosuppressive drug in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and other similar conditions.

Warnings

Do not give Golimumab to people with the following conditions:

Hypersensitivity to golimumab
Severe infections (example active TB, sepsis, opportunistic infections)
Moderate to severe heart failure (NYHA class III/IV)
Lactation
Concomitant use w/ anakinra, abatacept, and other biologic DMARDs

Side Effects

Golimumab may give rise to the following side effects:

Abdominal pain
Aplastic anemia
Asthenia
Bacterial (example TB, sepsis, pneumonia) and invasive fungal infections
Demyelinating disorders (example multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, polyneuropathy, optic neuritis) (rare)
Dizziness
Dyspepsia
HBV reactivation
Increased aminotransferases
Injection site reactions (example erythema, urticaria, induration, pain, bruising, pruritus, irritation, paresthesia)
Laryngitis
Leucopenia
Lupus-like syndrome
Malignancy (example lymphoma)
Nasopharyngitis
Nausea
Pancytopenia
Pharyngitis
Rhinitis
Serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions (example anaphylaxis)
Thrombocytopenia
Viral infection (example herpes, influenza)
Weakness

Precautions

Precautions

Special precautions should be observed by people with the following conditions:

Patients with history of latent/active TB
Opportunistic infections
Malignancy
Chronic or recurrent infection
Residence/travel on areas of endemic TB or mycoses (example histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis)
Conditions that may predispose to infection (example DM)
Pre-existing or recent nervous system demyelinating disorder
Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the heart
Hematologic disorders
Children
Pregnancy

Interactions

Golimumab may interact with the following medicines:

Methotrexate
Narrow therapeutic index drugs (example ciclosporin, theophylline, warfarin)
Live vaccines or therapeutic infectious agents
Anakinra
Abatacept and other biologic DMARDs (example rituximab, tocilizumab)

Overdose & Brands

If you think you may have used Golimumab more than the usual dose, seek medical help immediately.

Available Brands:

Simponi