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Cimzia Injection Therapy

See why thousands of patients choose our centers as their preferred destination for ongoing care, including Cimzia injection treatments.

Cimzia is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:

What Is Cimzia?

Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is an injectable biologic medication that is FDA-approved for use for patients who are at least 18 years of age. Cimzia contains the active drug certolizumab. This medication binds to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), blocking its ability to trigger inflammation.

What Is Cimzia Used For?

Cimzia helps reduce the signs and symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint inflammation, which results in pain, fever, and joint tenderness. Left untreated, the affected joints can begin deteriorating.
  • Crohn’s Disease: Crohn’s disease is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Although Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract, it typically affects the ileum (small bowel) and a section of the colon (large bowel).
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): People with ankylosing spondylitis frequently experience swelling, stiffness, and chronic pain in their low back.
  • Inflammatory Arthritis: Individuals with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthristis (nr-axSpA) have the same symptoms as those with AS. However, any inflammation in the lower spine is undetectable on X-rays.
  • Plaque Psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis causes skin inflammation. This inflammation leads to the development of pink or dark-colored skin patches (also referred to as plaques). Symptoms can include itching and pain.
  • Psoriatic Arthritis: People who have psoriatic arthritis experience inflammation in their joints and skin.

Cimzia Injection Administration and Dosing

Cimzia is available in two forms:

  • A solution within a single-dose prefilled syringe that may be administered by a medical professional or at home by the patient. Each prefilled syringe holds 200mg of medication.
  • A single-dose vial of Cimzia powder that a medical professional combines with sterile water before extracting it from the vial into a syringe for injection.

Cimzia injection sites include the front of the thighs and abdomen, at least 2 inches away from the navel. Cimzia is injected subcutaneously. Each new injection point must be at least 1 inch away from the last site used.

Dose and Frequency

Initially patients receive two 200mg injections of Cimzia. They receive the same 400mg dose again two weeks later and the third two injection dose two weeks after that.

Following the initial three doses, patients begin their Cimzia maintenance program. Maintenance doses are typically one injection every two weeks or two injections every four weeks.

Side Effects of Cimzia Injections

Since Cimzia must decrease the effectiveness of the immune system to reduce inflammation, fighting off an infection can be more difficult. Patients need to inform their physician if they have any signs indicating an infection. Some of these signs include a cough, fever, or a rash that is red or painful. Patients with these symptoms, as well as those who are having surgery, may need to discontinue their Cimzia therapy until they recover from their infection or once their surgery is complete. Additionally, patients who have heart disease or similar symptoms should let their physician know before receiving Cimzia treatment.

Following an injection, individuals experiencing any of the signs or symptoms below should seek medical attention immediately, as this can indicate a serious reaction.

  • Hives
  • Rash
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Inflammation of the lips, eyelids, face, or tongue

Mild side effects of Cimzia include a respiratory infection, feeling tired, a urinary tract infection, a headache, joint pain and pain or redness at the injection site. Serious side effects of Cimzia include new or worsening symptoms of heart failure, hepatitis B reactivation, blood disorders, nerve problems that are new or previous nerve issues worsening, serious infections, and hair loss.

How To Prepare for a Cimzia Injection

Before starting therapy with Cimzia, patients must have a negative tuberculosis (TB) test. During Cimzia therapy, patients should not receive live vaccines. The annual flu shot is safe to take because it does not contain a live virus.
Patients need to provide their treating physician with the names, doses, and frequency of their other medications they take, as well as their vitamins and herbal supplements.

How to Get a Referral for Cimzia Injections

Every Cimzia referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment.

Patient information should include:

  • Name
  • Current address
  • Home and mobile phone number
  • Insurance information

Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for Cimzia injection therapy:

  • Patient’s name and DOB
  • Order date
  • Diagnosis
  • Physician’s name and NPI#
  • Office address, phone and fax numbers
  • Provider’s signature

Supporting clinical documentation from the physician should include:

  • Results of a recent tuberculosis (TB) skin/lab testing
  • Patient’s current weight and height

Clinicals to support one or more of the following:

If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Cimzia injections treat, you may want to learn more about biologic injection treatments. To find an IV LEAGUE INFUSION SERVICES infusion center near you, please click here.

Patients chose IV LEAGUE INFUSION SERVICES to receive their ongoing Cimzia treatments because:
  • ALL private suites
  • Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
  • Evening & weekend appointments
  • Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
  • Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks