Gap between biologics?

[Emye343]

Hi there,

Does anyone know what sort of gap has to be left between coming off humira and starting a new biologic? Tia.

[Downtime]

When I changed, it was around 6 or 7 weeks

[Emye343 in reply to Downtime]

Thanks for replying Downtime. That’s a long time to be without anything, especially when the humira hasn’t worked in the first place!

[Downtime in reply to Emye343]

It is. I think they have to allow time for the old one to clear from your body before starting another one. I still took methotrexate and anti inflammatories so it wasn’t too bad. Maybe you could ask for a course of prednisalone ….bearing in mind that the new drug might not start working immediately anyway .

[Fra22-57]

Was told 8weeks.gave shot of prednisalone.still in agony til new biologic stated to work.Had to do that on 4 separate occasions as only last one worked.hope yours does for you

[Emye343 in reply to Fra22-57]

Poor you! That must have been horrid! I’m glad you found one that worked in the end! Which one did you settle on?

[Fra22-57 in reply to Emye343]

I am on Abatacept now which is helping thou still doesn’t tick all the boxes.lot better thou thanks

[Emye343 in reply to Fra22-57]

Glad to hear that Fra22-57,Any side effects? Did it take long to work for you?

[Fra22-57 in reply to Emye343]

Couple weeks to work.no side effects

[Emye343 in reply to Fra22-57]

Brilliant!

[Pinkypie2018]

I’ve recently changed biologics and I had a 6 week gap.

[Emye343 in reply to Pinkypie2018]

The gap seems to be shrinking with each person that replies! But, even 6 weeks is a long time when you’re in pain. It was only 2 weeks when I changed from Enbrel to Humira…

[Durrell]

Hi Emye I think depends on the drugs life time in your body.. I came off my biologic for 2 weeks & started my current one on the 3rd week.. but as I say I think it depends on your current drug..

[Emye343 in reply to Durrell]

Hi Durrell,Do you mean how long you’ve personally been taking the drug?

[Durrell]

No came off my last biologic, 2 week break & started my new biologic the following week (3rd week).. I see your in guernsey, did you get any glimpse of the air display here in Jersey today?

[Emye343 in reply to Durrell]

Hi Durrell,If you’re based in Jersey that explains the name! Yes, we had our own display here too. It was a bit cloudy though. The sun came out after it had finished!

[Durrell]

Yes it was similar here too!! We had a break for a good half hour to wait for it to clear but it was really good..

[Emye343 in reply to Durrell]

From what I can glean about the rheumatoid dept in Jersey, things are far better organized there than here. We have no rheumatologists on island and have to wait (often for many months) until they fly one in from Southampton to get an appointment. I have 3 friends who haven’t seen their particular rheumatologist for over 2 years and no zoom consultations have taken place either. It’s really frustrating at times, not to say upsetting…

[Durrell]

Oh golly I’m really sorry to hear that, it’s a shame they can’t island hop!! Yes I’m extremely lucky I get on very well with mine & the care, team, appointments etc are very efficient & high standard..

[Durrell in reply to Durrell]

I do feel for you all. I’m often saddened when I read others posts based in the uk with similar situations as you have mentioned, it’s really not good at all. I certainly can remember when I was in uk prior to Jersey & appointments were few & far between & I’m going back 10yrs way way before covid & I can remember feeling exasperated with it all, as my RA then was just like others here often mention, snow balling out of control with no help whatsoever..

[kellymomcars]

Hi Emye343. When I was switched from Cimzia to Humira there was no lapse in shots because they were within the same family (both are TNF blockers). Humira didn't work well for me (both gave me hives), so that took the TNF blockers off the table. Just started with Cosentyx with about a 6 week lapse, but was told I could start at 4 weeks from my last shot. Cosentyx is an IL 17 inhibitor so a different family. While waiting to get Consetyx my doctor prescribed meloxicam, which helped a lot. So, if your new biologic is within the same family there might not be a need for a long waiting period. At least, that's the way it was explained to me.

[Emye343 in reply to kellymomcars]

Thank you! I’m not sure what might be next - appointment on Thursday. But I’ve tried to tnf blockers now (humira and enbrel), so I might be headed towards a different family of medications.

[kellymomcars in reply to Emye343]

So far, changing to Cosentyx has been okay for me. No hives, but did have to start all over with the loading doses. It's too early to tell if it's going to work for my joints. Super hopeful! Isn't it amazing stuff? Hoping you have a good appointment!

[chunkypie]

Hi.

It was a while back now but im sure i just went straight from Cosentyx to Hyrimoz. I just used the remaining supply of Cosentyx then my next due delivery was changed to Hyrimoz