Hello everyone.
I have been on Imraldi ( Humira biosimilar) for five months with very little benefit. I am considering asking for an alternative anti TFN. It have been told they all work down the same pathway and there is little to be gained by changing the anti TFN. Has anyone tried this with a positive outcome?
Many thanks for your help. Xx
I was on Benepali for two years or so and it worked great, no sign of the RA at all but it did enable a constant and persistent UTI so now I'm going onto Orencia and can only hope it works as well as the Benepali and that did take some 3 months to even begin working and a full 6 months to put the RA into remission. So could be worth delaying a decision or request for another couple of months and as far as I know nearly all RA medications take a long time to really work well.
I was on Enbrel successfully for over 10 years. 3 weeks ago I changed to a bio similar of Humira and I’m hoping it’s going to work as well as the Enbrel. No signs yet but it takes 2-12 weeks so I’m going to stick on it until my follow up appointment in February.
Dear helenlw7,Grateful if you could let me no how you get on with the change please.
Thanks
Last week I thought it had started working, but then my daughter’s partner died suddenly and the stress of the situation started a massive flare, but I’ll let you know how I get on.
So sorry to hear such bad news. I wish you well. Please keep in touch.Thanks
Can I ask who said that all meds work by the same pathway ? Because that just is not true.
Anti TNFs are biologics which work to block inflammatory proteins outside the cell and hence are injected.
Anti TNFs did nothing for me either, I've had more success with JAK inhibitors.
JAK inhibitors, taken in tablet form work inside the cell to block the inflammatory proteins.
There is also other meds such as rituximab, which I've never taken but has a different mechanism again working on the B cells.
Many if not all on this forum have had more success with some meds than others.
It might be worth speaking with your rheumatologist requesting a medicine review.
I would hang on a bit - I have been on Cimzia for 10 months and it has just started to work.
Anti-tnfs all aim for the same goal, but slightly differently. People often try several of them and find the second/third one works.
Hi Anniebl24
I don't have as much knowledge of biologics as other posters here but I'm on the same one- Imraldi - for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. I've been on it since Aug 2019 and it started working quickly (skin started clearing up and pain eased after a month or so)
I'm now in a situation where it is working well for my skin but not so well for joints so I've had steroid injections too.
My consultant advised me to stay on Imraldi for the time being as my skin is great but she said it may need changed further down the line depending on the joint/tendon pain. She assured me there are lots of alternative biologics...
As already mentioned by another poster, they target different parts of the inflammatory process.
I personally think 5 mnths and no impact suggests you need to discuss a change with your consultant. Good luck.
Different drugs affect different parts of the inflammatory pathway, that's why doctors try different ones according to clinical judgement. Have a look at biologics on nras.org.co.uk they have great explanations on there
I was on Humira (injection pens) - 1 jab every two weeks. The Humira did work very well for me, and improvement came pretty quickly (within the first 6 weeks).
Unfortunately, at about the one year mark, I developed horrid pustular eczema on my feet and hands which was misdiagnosed repeatedly, but ultimately diagnosed as triggered by the Humira. Upon stopping the Humira, the eczema cleared up within about 60 days.
My rheumy explained to me that any other TNF drug would likely cause the same side effects as the Humira did. I was switched from Humira, a TNF inhibitor, to Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor. Rinvoq is manufactured by Abbvie, the same company as Humira, and is a daily easy to swallow pill.
My inflammatory RA symptoms have been reduced by 90% (and some days even 100%) while taking the Rinvoq. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this drug, and hope it continues to work for me.
I would also note that Abbvie allows me to have this very expensive drug for free as our household income falls below their very generous threshold for assistance. Without their assistance, I could never afford this drug in the U.S. as even with medical insurance, it would cost me thousands of dollars a year.
I wish you luck on your journey. You may want to ask your doctors about trying Rinvoq if it is available where you are.
Kind regards…
I was on imraldi for 7 months and it didn't work for me. I'm now on another anti tnf, this time erelzi and it doesn't seem to be working either but I've been told to give it the full 6 months.
I know this might sound bad but I don't believe biosimilars work as well as original ones. I'm on Humira and was asked to change to Imraldi and I refused. I'm glad I did as people who did haven't done as well. In fact this is part of some research being done at our hospital x
I did for a while and it was my first linjectionNo side effects but not sure how i went as it was all new to me
The doctors ,oved me to 2 otner onjectipns do far.
Only can say injectipns were painles
Sorry but is i am not sure and stll confused about my entire treatment
I am getting worse on my fingers
Thank you all for your replies. I am staying on the same drug for now to see what happens in a few more weeks. They have offered me JAK tablets and infusions but I don't want to be too quick to reject the Imraldi in case it starts to work soon. I also think Humira might work better, just from what I have read, however the NHS does not offer it now unless you have previously been on it with success.
Anti CCP + 
Anti virals & MTX
Anti TNF
Anti tnf
Anti inflammatories
