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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Cimzia

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Broward County, Florida

My creatine levels are up and my rheumatologist wants to put me on Cimzia.
I am reluctant. Is anyone else on it?

2 hours ago
 · 
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A myRAteam Member

Hi Avis,
While everyone has a different reaction I personally did not do well on Cimzia. For me, it initially brought down my inflammation but I had severe adverse reactions to it: malfunctioning pupil reflex, going blind, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. I wouldn't necessarily let that deter you from taking it since I've seen online multiple people that didn't have an extreme reaction to it but that is just my personal experience.

2 hours ago
myRAteam

It's completely understandable to feel hesitant about starting a new medication, especially when your body is already sending some signals with elevated creatinine levels. Many myRAteam members have shared similar feelings before starting Cimzia (certolizumab pegol).

Cimzia is an FDA-approved biologic DMARD for moderately Show Full Answer

It's completely understandable to feel hesitant about starting a new medication, especially when your body is already sending some signals with elevated creatinine levels. Many myRAteam members have shared similar feelings before starting Cimzia (certolizumab pegol).

Cimzia is an FDA-approved biologic DMARD for moderately to severely active RA. It works by blocking a chemical messenger called TNF-α, which plays a role in the autoimmune attacks that cause joint damage.

It's given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every two to four weeks and comes in a prefilled syringe, which many people find convenient.

Like all biologics, it does come with some side effects to be aware of:

Common side effects:
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Rash

Rare but serious side effects:
- Severe infections
- Increased risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma
- Heart failure
- Severe allergic reactions
- Nerve damage
- Low blood cell counts

Given that creatinine levels are already elevated, it's really worth having an open conversation with the rheumatologist about those concerns before starting. Asking how Cimzia might interact with kidney function monitoring would be a great place to start.

Many myRAteam members have navigated similar decisions and found it helpful to weigh the risks against the benefits of getting RA under better control.

2 hours ago