Had all my blood tests & chest X-ray on Wednesday plus the one to one with my Rheumatoid nurse in preparation for finally going on Biosimilars.. my dilemma now is which one? I had been offered 3 but one was an infusion so am now down to a choice of 2, adalimimab(similar to Humira) and Etanercept(similar to Embrel)... also, needle or pen? Even though I’m on MTX subcutaneous I still “wind up” about self injecting & see it as a weekly hurdle.. also a bit confused about keeping the correct temperatures when travelling abroad & if I choose the pen can I get a cool case that a pen will fit in & also keep the liquid at correct temperature? All these things are running around in my head so would appreciate some feedback from all you lovely warriors on biosimilars, thank you in advance 🙄🙄
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Juliachoo
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I don’t know about Humira/Adalumumbab as I am on Enbrel. I have the pen, which is easy and not stingy if you get it to room temperature first. It can be out of the fridge for 4 weeks so, although I have a very good medical cool bag that keeps it at 4degrees for 36 hours, most times I just pop them in my hand luggage the same as my methotrexate pens. I can’t remember the last time I had a 5 week holiday/business trip!
I use benepali, similiar to Enbrel. Like helixhelix says it keeps for 4 weeks out of the fridge and the pen is quite easy (I found it a wee bit clunky to begin with, but no problems after a few weeks of using it, it just fires a wee bit differently from MTX).
I took 2 on holiday in their box a few weeks ago and a Tupperware container to put the used ones in until I got home. No problems.
Yes it's alright to take them out if the fridge for going on holidays but it depends on where your going. If it's going to be over 25 degrees when you get there your going to have a problem. Once the drugs been over 8 degrees it can't go back in a fridge when you get to your hotel/apartment, you've then got to try to keep it between 8-25 degrees.
My daughter lived in Gibraltar and Spain and in the summer her apartment got way over 25 degrees. Somedays on returning from being out it was like walking into an oven, especially when she lived in Gib, she had the sun blazing in all day. If your in a hotel you can't go out and leave the aircon on. xx
If you were offered Rituximab/Truxima it’s two infusions twice a year.Most people do well on it...everybody I meet at the clinic where mine is administered have nothing but good to say about it.
I find it much more relaxing than having to remember to take pills...& when I travel there is nothing to consider.....I just plan my trips around my 4 infusions a year.
I take Humira - very easy to administer & it doesn’t hurt at all- I just get a little rash sometimes. However I’ve been told I need to move to a biosimilar - I don’t have a choice. I’m happy to try it & just hope it doesn’t cause me any issues. With Humira you store it in the fridge & I was given a small travel case to use with ice blocks. However once it’s out, you have 2 weeks to use it but don’t store in the heat.
Just to butt in...You don’t have to change to a a Bio similar if you don’t want to. NICE regulations say switching must be done with the consent of the patient.
If you can get hold of the rheumatology pharmacist at your hospital and have a word with her/ him And explain your reasons for not wanting to change you may find they will let you remain on Humira.
You have got an option, link to NICE guidelines to follow, last paragraph. I think their just trying it on with patients and hoping they'll switch with no trouble. I was told I had to switch from enbrel to a biosimilar, I typed notes up detailing what I'd found out about the new drugs and my thoughts and fears about switching, adding that I should have some say in what toxic drug I inject into my body....consultant told me since I can stay on enbrel.
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