Golimumab is a valuable human monoclonal antibody that works as an immunosuppressive medication for several chronic conditions. This treatment targets tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a pro-inflammatory molecule, which makes it a TNF inhibitor.
The World Health Organisation has recognised golimumab injection as an essential medicine. Patients can get the golimumab drug through subcutaneous injection, which makes it available for those who need ongoing care. The European Medicines Agency and the US Food & Drug Administration have approved golimumab to treat autoimmune conditions.
This article covers everything patients should know about this medication—from its mechanism of action to proper dosing and potential side effects.
Golimumab belongs to a class of medications called TNF blockers. This biological therapy binds to TNF-alpha molecules in your body and prevents them from attaching to receptors. Your immune system produces TNF-alpha, which can cause inflammation and pain when produced in excess. Golimumab helps reduce these symptoms by blocking this inflammatory process.
Doctors prescribe golimumab mainly for autoimmune conditions. The medication treats moderate to severe රූමටික ආතරයිටිස් (combined with methotrexate), active psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and තූවාල colitis. Children aged 2 years or older with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis can also benefit from this treatment.
The standard dose is a 50 mg subcutaneous injection once monthly. Ulcerative colitis treatment starts with a 200 mg dose, followed by 100 mg at week 2, and then 100 mg every 4 weeks. The medicine needs refrigeration between 36°F and 46°F. You or a family member can give the injection at home using a prefilled syringe or auto-injector pen after proper training.
The following are common side effects of this medicine:
බරපතල අතුරු ආබාධ අතරට:
Golimumab targets and blocks a protein called TNF-alpha that plays the most important role in inflammatory conditions. Your immune system attacks healthy tissues due to excessive TNF-alpha. Golimumab stops this harmful process by binding with two forms of TNF-alpha at multiple locations. This anti-TNF biological treatment tackles inflammation at its source instead of masking symptoms.
Golimumab works effectively with several medications:
Check with your doctor before starting any new medications. Let all doctors outside your rheumatology team know about your golimumab treatment.
Your condition determines the dosing:
Golimumab brings major benefits to patients who struggle with chronic inflammatory conditions. The medication blocks TNF-alpha proteins that trigger painful inflammation and provides relief when other treatments don't work. Many patients find its monthly dosing schedule convenient since it simplifies their treatment routine better than medications they need to take more often.
The freedom to give yourself golimumab shots at home makes a huge difference for many patients. Once they learn the proper technique, patients can control their treatment schedule without going to clinics all the time. This independence really helps people with mobility issues or packed schedules.
Golimumab works great with other medications like methotrexate to create powerful combination therapies for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
TNF blockers like golimumab can increase your risk of infections, which stands as the most serious side effect. A small number of patients might develop lymphoma or skin cancer. Your doctor will carefully balance these risks with the benefits you'll get from controlling your inflammatory condition.
You should notice improvements within 8-12 weeks. Some patients feel better during the first week, though benefits typically show up after 6 weeks.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Your original schedule can continue if the delay is less than 2 weeks. A new schedule should start from the injection date if the delay goes beyond 2 weeks. You should never double your dose.
Get medical help right away by calling emergency services.
This medication isn't suitable if you have active infections, moderate to severe heart failure, or multiple sclerosis. Patients with untreated tuberculosis should also avoid this medication.
Take your dose once monthly or as your doctor prescribes.
Your treatment should continue even after you start feeling better. Symptoms might return if you stop too early.
Stop taking golimumab if you develop a serious infection. You should also stop about five weeks before any planned surgery. Always check with your doctor before ending your treatment.
Doctors don't recommend taking golimumab daily. The medication comes in a prefilled syringe or automatic injector pen that's designed for monthly use. Most patients need to inject one 50 mg dose every 4 weeks. This schedule helps maintain proper medication levels in your bloodstream.
Without doubt, there isn't one "best time" for golimumab injections. You can give yourself the injection any time during the day. In spite of that, doctors suggest sticking to roughly the same time for each scheduled dose. Your body maintains steady medication levels this way.
These safety precautions are essential: