Hi everyone
I was told by my Rheumatologist that biologics can be injected twice weekly and most recently they come in tablet form. I think the dosage is one daily.
I am contemplating going on biologics and would like some feedback on both injections and tabs and side effects you experience on either.
I really need to make a decision fast.
Thanks all
I currently inject via a pen once a fortnight. I've had the tablets which was two a day as part of a trial and have never had any side effects from biologics if that helps. I've been on biologics for about 10 years and for me they are about 80-90% affective 😀
I’m on a Jak which is in tablet form . Life changer and no side effects
I inject a biologic - adalimumab via a pen I have never had any side effects and it has been a game changer for me
It is such a personal thing. No-one can tell you which will work, or whether you’ll get side effects as we are all different.
In general all the biologics including the JAK inhibitors (the tablets) have few immediate side effects, but they all increase your risk of infections.
I made my choice based on which of the ones I was offered had the shortest half life so it would leave my body if I had an infection, and which suited my lifestyle better. At that point I travelled a lot, so chose the anti-tnf that was injected once a week, could be out of the fridge for 4 weeks, not two.
I inject Amgevita once fortnightly with a pen, very simple to do. No side effects, excellent RA control. I have never been offered tablets for a biologic.
I've been on biologics, injecting weekly and now JAK inhibitors x 2 tablets per day.
For me JAK inhibitors have worked best and have had fewer side effects than the biologics. I take other meds morning and evening, so there is no added inconvenience in taking the JAKs twice a day.
JAKs also leave your system in a few days, so if you need to stop them for any reason they are gone , very soon.
I find the tablets easier than injections if I am visiting / going on holiday...I don't need to worry about storing injections at the correct temperature, the packaging and actual injection pen for injections are also larger than a blister pack of tabs. I fill up my medicine box and off I go, small and neat enough to fit into my overnight bag.
I really cannot think of any negatives for JAKs ( They do carry a small raised risk of infection, but all biologics and JAKs do).
Agree!
Have a look at the NRAS website pages on treatments. It gives (almost) all now available and whether tablets, injections, or infusions. Profiles of advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your rheumy team armed with information. Also find out if you need any screening, vaccinations etc before you start.
I was on Etanercept injection weekly for over two years, it then became ineffective, but I didn't take the small Methotrexate dose alongside it, this might have prolonged it's efficacy. Like others here, I'm on a daily Baricitinib (JAK inhibitor) and it's amazing the impact. Little if any side effects, maybe slight neausia from time to time.
Regarding infection, I used to get a good few cold sores, especially when I was on a high dose of methotrexate, but now get them only occasionally, now I'm on Baricitinib. I get them less frequently than before I was taking any meds. There's some interesting accounts online regarding use of Baricitinib in trials to treat long covid! I heard two clinicians suggesting that as this medication lowers the immune response, we would be more likely to catch C19, but less likely to be seriously ill because of it. Fascinating I thought.
Thank you . I have read every single comment and have a clear picture of how I need to move forward. You all have been extremely helpful. Love to all. Stay safe.
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