Hi, I have been on Amgevita for past 5months and initially ok. Now find I suffer with hives on my legs and arms for the week following the injection. Its injected every 2 weeks. Nobody in Rheumatology seems bothered and say my body will settle, but I am worried as suffered with allergies as a child , by the age of 14, I grew out of!
Anybody else had similar reaction/ side effects and eventually settled? The injection helps considerably, together with my old faithful Methotrexate.
did they suggest taking an antihistamine?
Sounds like a good idea, your pharmacist might help you with that
I have been on it about a year, and not had this problem. Hope you can get it sorted
Yes! Slightly relieved to read your post (sorry!) as I too got a rash - on my back, legs and wrists a few weeks back having started Amgevita last June. Showed it to my consultant who photographed it and sent it to the dermatology Dept but no one could confirm it was related to that drug. Dermatologist told me to use heavy duty moisturiser (eg Epaderm) and my gp gave me some steroid cream for the hives on my legs that’s calmed it down. The pharmacist suggested piriton but that made me too groggy. Anyway it’s a lot better now though still there.
Piriton is one of the older antihistamines but there are a lot newer ones that don’t cause drowsiness…do explain that to your pharmacist & ask to try one of those.
Yes I have used other antihistamines before that don’t cause drowsiness. Tbh the rash was really not itchy - I think the pharmacist was at a loss- as were the other medics- as to what to advise and suggested antihistamines as if they had calmed the rash down that would show it was an allergic reaction.
Will ask for that cream then, as nothing relieving it! Getting a bit despondent as feel professionals arent listening. I feel I should stop the drug but then will wait another 4 months before next Biologic/ Biosimilar is organised. I will need to have a break from it in New Year as 2nd knee replacement inJan/ Feb. Preop in 3 wks . Thank you all for replying x
Not on Amgevita…but way back on DMards I often had skin reactions & they did settle…if you can bear it, I’d give it a bit longer…especially if your rheumy team isn’t worried & the Amgevita is working ……I do know getting the right meds as quickly as possible is what we all want..but if we do stop taking something that is basically controlling the RA just a bit too soon….it could have you chopping & changing for a long time.Have you tried antihistamines?
If you Google amgevita, you'll find skin problems are a known side effect. I've been suffering for two years with the most horrendous rashes all over the body. Finally saw dermatology again last week, after an emergency appointment a year ago, Her opinion is that taking it , the benefits outweigh the risks, at the moment, so just keep using the multitude of creams to try to control the rashes. Says she might start me back on methotrexate, if it continues. Like you,,the initial antihistamine prescribed, knocked me out, so I'm just making do with loratidine
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