Joint problems can result in severe functional impairment, affecting simple day-to-day activities.
Some conditions classified as inflammatory joint diseases cause pain, swelling and difficulty in movement, and may also affect other organs and tissues.
Although many people think that conditions like arthritis are invariably age-related, they can also occur in younger people. In all cases, correct and early diagnosis is the best way to reduce the damage to health and well-being caused by joint changes.
One of the drug options to treat rheumatoid arthritis , psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis is the administration of Simponi, from the pharmaceutical industry Janssen. Learn more about the drug:
Contents
What is Simponi Janssen?
Simponi is one of the drugs based on the active substance Golimumab, produced by the pharmaceutical industry Janssen-Cilag.
It consists of a liquid substance, for injectable use, which can be administered alone or in conjunction with methotrexate, indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (AP), Ulcerative colitis and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as long as patients attend to patients. criteria determined by the package insert.
In general, its action aims to reduce symptoms and improve the physical condition of patients, which is severely impaired in these cases. This occurs through the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), which is present in excess in the body of patients with RA, AP or EA, and is responsible for triggering inflammation.
However, as the drug works by reducing the immune action, it is possible that people being treated are more susceptible to other diseases and infections. Therefore, treatment must be strictly monitored and assisted by specialists.
What is Simponi IV and SC?
The acronyms IV and SC refer to the forms of administration of the medication. Respectively, they indicate Intravenous and Subcutaneous.
In general, Simponi IV (also called intravenous) should only be applied in a hospital environment, with medical observation and a team prepared to deal with the handling of the medication.
The subcutaneous form, on the other hand, can be prescribed for self-administration, as the medication is arranged in a pen that facilitates application. However, only professionals can determine the form of application.
What is the medicine Simponi for?
According to the package insert, Simponi is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The objective is, in general, to reduce the signs and symptoms of those present, as well as to improve physical functions.
See more about each condition treated and the mechanism of action:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the joint, which causes pain and swelling. It is a chronic disease of autoimmune origin.
Gradually, the symptoms and signs limit the person’s activities, making simple movements difficult.
In addition, deformities of the structures can occur, due to the alteration of the joints. Although rheumatoid arthritis mostly affects the joints, it can affect other organs, such as the heart, skin and blood vessels.
According to the package insert, in cases of RA, Simponi is indicated in combination with methotrexate for adults with moderate to severe active disease, aiming at:
- Reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease;
- Inhibit damage to bones and joints;
- Improve physical function;
- Improve health-related quality of life
Psoriasis arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (AP), known as psoriatic arthritis or arthropathic psoriasis , consists of inflammations that affect the skin and joints.
In general, psoriasis generates reddish plaques in the dermis, which itch and peel, while arthritis involves processes of pain and swelling in the joints.
Conditions do not always develop together and the manifestation of skin and joint symptoms can vary in intensity and time.
Simponi is indicated for adults with active psoriatic arthritis and can be used alone or combined with methotrexate, aiming:
- Reduce the signs and symptoms of arthritis;
- Improve physical function;
- Improve enthesitis (pain and swelling around the joints);
- Improve skin and nail psoriasis;
- Improve health-related quality of life.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that affects connective tissues, especially in the spine region. Thus, the joints gradually become more rigid and painful. It is possible that the disease affects other regions as well, such as the hips.
People with an active diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis can receive a medical prescription for treatment with Simponi, for the following purposes:
- Reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease;
- Improve physical function;
- Improve your health-related quality of life.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition. It is characterized by inflammation and ulcerations in the large and rectum intestines. Among the most common symptoms are diarrhea , colic, fever and even bleeding.
Golimumab: how does the active ingredient in Simponi work?
The active substance Golimumab is a monoclonal antibody with high specificity of binding to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).
In general, it is observed that people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis have higher rates of this substance. When TNF-alpha binds to receptors, it triggers immune responses that cause inflammation, triggering the specific symptoms of each disease.
Golimumab binds to TNF-alpha receptors, blocking inflammatory action.
How to apply Simponi according to the package leaflet?
Simponi SC applications take place, according to the package insert, monthly. To facilitate treatment, allowing patients to perform self-application, the medication has a pen presentation, which is a mechanism that aims to facilitate the use and handling by the person himself.
It is important that, before making the injection, patients receive training from the medical team and clarify any doubts. Application locations, days and dosages should also be guided by professionals.
The general instructions on the package insert for subcutaneous application are:
- Remove the medicine from the refrigerator and wait 30 minutes, leaving it at room temperature;
- Check that the dosage and expiration date are correct, as well as that the medicine does not appear cloudy or with particles;
- Prepare the application site (usually the front of the thigh, below the abdomen or below the navel).
The package insert guides that, if another person makes the application, the external part of the arm is also a place where the medication can be administered.
After cleaning the skin, remove the pen cap and discard it. Simply place the pen at a 90º angle on the skin and press it.
Then, press the button to inject the medication, keeping the pen firmly held. A click will occur, indicating that the needle has been inserted into the skin. When a second click occurs, you can remove the pen from the application site.
It is recommended to press a piece of cotton in place, without rubbing.
What are the side effects?
As with other drug treatments, the use of Simponi can cause adverse reactions. This does not necessarily mean that they will occur, but the package insert reports those that are possibly associated with the substance according to the frequency of occurrence:
Very common
The most common side effects, seen in clinical studies, are those related to infections and infestations. On average, these conditions occur in 1 person in 10 who use the medication: infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis , laryngitis and rhinitis .
Common
Common frequency adverse reactions are those that occur between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people being treated, and include:
- Bacterial infections (such as cellulite), lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia), viral infections (such as influenza and herpes), bronchitis, sinusitis, superficial fungal infections, abscess;
- Increase in alanine aminotransferase, increase in aspartate aminotransferase;
- Leucopenia (incluindo neutropenia), anemia;
- Positive autoantibodies, non-serious allergic reactions;
- Dizziness, paresthesia;
- Hypertension;
- Rash, alopecia;
- Pyrexia, reaction at the application site (erythema at the application site, hives, induration, pain, hematoma, itching, irritation, paraesthesia).
Simponi Golimumab is fattening?
Directly, there is no mention in the package insert that the active substance Golimumab can change the weight. However, it is worth mentioning that the body’s responses should always be evaluated by the medical team, considering all changes and adaptations to therapy.
Price: where to buy Simponi cheaper?
Simponi can be consulted in chains of pharmacies and special drugstores, physical or online, such as Consulta Remédios.
The Simponi 50mg presentation , box with 1 filled syringe attached to the applicator pen with 0.5 ml of solution for subcutaneous use can be found between the approximate values of R $ 4,900 to R $ 5,346 *.
The Simponi 50mg presentation , box with 1 syringe filled with 0.5 ml of solution for subcutaneous use + applicator pen, can have values ranging from R $ 5,079 to R $ 5,079 *.
* Prices consulted in January 2020. Prices may change.
Simponi has generic?
No. Simponi is a medication registered in the category of Biological, from Janssen-Cilag. Currently, in Brazil, there are no other brands or pharmaceutical companies that sell Golimumab-based drugs.
Are you in SUS?
Yes. The substance Golimumab is part of the list of medicines distributed free of charge to people who have a medical prescription and meet the established criteria.
Although, according to CONITEC’s decision, Golimumab is released free of charge by SUS, some situations can affect the correct distribution of the drug to patients. In these cases, if there is a negative or non-distribution of the drug, it is possible for patients to resort to legal channels to obtain it.
How to budget Simponi?
People who have a medical indication for the use of Simponi, but who for some reason are not having access to the drug, can resort to legal channels so that the State can provide treatment, free of charge.
For this, it is necessary to seek help from professionals in health law, who can be found in centers of legal assistance or in a particular way.
A series of documents must be delivered to file the costing request, including 3 quotes from different pharmacies.
To facilitate the process, patients can count on the advice of quotation of high-cost drugs, from the Consulta Remédios group.
Just access the link and fill in the data. In a simple and personalized way a budget will be sent.
Joint problems or changes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, result in a major compromise in routine and well-being. In addition to pain, simple movements can suffer limitations, reducing patients’ autonomy.
In addition to it, there are other inflammatory and chronic conditions, such as psoriasis arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
However, these conditions are treated and, with the correct follow-up, they can show improvements. The use of medications like Simponi is one of the forms of medication.
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