What is golimumab?
Golimumab is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. It works by reducing the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.
Golimumab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Golimumab is sometimes used with another medication called methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall).
Golimumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about golimumab?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to golimumab, or if you are already using adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), or infliximab (Remicade).
Some people using golimumab have developed a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and it can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young adults using golimumab or similar medicines to treat Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, night sweats, itching, loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness, feeling full after eating only a small amount, pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder, nausea, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Golimumab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with golimumab. Contact your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, stomach pain, diarrhea, or muscle aches.
Some infections are more likely to occur in certain areas of the world. Tell your doctor where you live and where you have recently traveled or plan to travel to during treatment.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have hepatitis, congestive heart failure, lupus, diabetes, cancer, HIV or a weak immune system, or multiple sclerosis.
Before using golimumab, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, if you have recently been vaccinated with BCG, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.
Before you start treatment with golimumab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with golimumab.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using golimumab?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to golimumab, or if you are already using adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), or infliximab (Remicade).
Some people using golimumab have developed a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and it can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young adults using golimumab or similar medicines to treat Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
However, people with autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis) may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.
Before using golimumab, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.
Some infections are more likely to occur in certain areas of the world. Tell your doctor where you live and where you have recently traveled or plan to travel to during treatment.
To make sure you can safely use golimumab, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
an active or recent infection;
hepatitis B;
congestive heart failure;
lupus;
diabetes;
cancer, HIV, or a weak immune system;
an allergy to latex rubber;
a disease that affects the nerves or muscles, such as multiple sclerosis;
if you have recently been vaccinated with BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin); or
if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether golimumab passes into breast milk. Do not use golimumab without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.