Cimzia is a medicine that is used in adults to treat the following diseases: - active rheumatoid arthritis (a disease causing inflammation of the joints) when it is used in combination with another medicine, methotrexate, or given alone when treatment with methotrexate is not appropriate. - axial spondyloarthritis (a disease causing inflammation and pain in the joints of the spine), including ankylosing spondylitis and when the X-ray does not show disease but there are clear signs of inflammation. - psoriatic arthritis (a disease causing red, scaly patches on the skin and inflammation of the joints) when it is used in combination with methotrexate or given alone when treatment with methotrexate is not appropriate. - plaque psoriasis, a disease causing red, scaly patches on the skin. Cimzia is mostly used for conditions that are severe, moderately severe or getting worse, or when patients cannot use other treatments. For detailed information on the use of Cimzia in all conditions, see the summary of product characteristics. Cimzia contains the active substance certolizumab pegol.
Therapeutic Indication
### Therapeutic indication **Rheumatoid arthritis** Cimzia, in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for: - the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including MTX, has been inadequate. Cimzia can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to MTX or when continued treatment with MTX is inappropriate - the treatment of severe, active and progressive RA in adults not previously treated with MTX or other DMARDs. Cimzia has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X ray and to improve physical function, when given in combination with MTX. **Axial spondyloarthritis** Cimzia is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with severe active axial spondyloarthritis, comprising: **Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)** Adults with severe active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). **Axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS** Adults with severe active axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS but with objective signs of inflammation by elevated C reactive protein (CRP) and /or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to NSAIDs. **Psoriatic arthritis** Cimzia, in combination with MTX, is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous DMARD therapy has been inadequate. Cimzia can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate.
Therapeutic Area (MeSH)
ATC Code
L04AB05
ATC Item
certolizumab pegol
Pharmacotherapeutic Group
Immunosuppressants
Active Substance (Summary)
INN / Common Names
| Substance | CAS | Monograph |
|---|---|---|
| certolizumab pegol | N/A | Certolizumab pegol |
| Certolizumab pegol | N/A | Certolizumab pegol |
EMA Name
Cimzia
Medicine Name
Cimzia
Aliases
N/A
