Brand change

[flowerlover]

I took Imraldi, with wonderful results, for 4 years with very few colds, infections, illness in general. We have 2 small granddaughters so come into contact with every bug known to man! It was the perfect drug for me.

In January my prescription was changed to Hyrimoz. I didn't mind this (still adalimumab) - if it was a cost benefit to the NHS then why not?

But, I have had one thing after another ever since. The most serious thing was an eye problem (loss of most of my sight in one eye & severe swelling behind the eye) in Feb. This responded to high dose steroid treatment & Bristol Eye Hospital reluctant to do biopsy as might cause sight loss anyway. So it's a wait and see thing.

Since then I have had a fungal infections on scalp & toe nails, a burning rash on my feet, 2 x UTI's and every cold that's come my way. The last one resulting in an ear infection which I have yet to have sorted.

Hyrimoz is not going to be available soon (no profit in it for the manufacturers I think) so I'm being changed to Yuflima. They are all Adalimumab and supposed to be the same. I have requested that I might go back to Imraldi.

My question is - what is the experience of others who have been changed from one brand of their drug to another? Am I being paranoid & is it all coincidence? Does anyone have experience of treatment with steroids which resulted in poor health afterwards?

This is my first post but have picked up lots of tips from this very helpful group.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi on the brand I've had it started with one med now lots

It is a cost saving

1 drug alone saved £120 per anum gp said

Another debate for another time

I'm convinced some are not as effective

[Haz58]

Hi. If I were you I'd let your rheumy team know. They may be able to stipulate that you are only prescribed the make you were ok on. If things get better on the original med then you know it's the new make causing it. All the best.

[flowerlover in reply to Haz58]

Yes I requested just this at my f2f appointment this week. So fingers crossed. Thanks

[cyberbarn]

I am not saying that switching brands isn't a problem, but things are often multifactorial, it could be more than one thing going on. Maybe your immune system is changing as you get older? Or maybe something else.

[Paula-C]

These biosimilar drugs are not exactly the same as the original ones, they are similar to them, that's why they are called bio*similar*. Ive see countless of post where people have been told they are exactly the same by their hospitals, me being one, I had to stop my nurse mid sentence and tell her they aren't, the clues in the name. I would think that each of the biosimilar drugs differ one way or another from each other. I'd let your Rheumy team know what's happening, it's obviously not suiting you. I objected to being switched from enbrel to one, I gave good reasons why and I was able to stay on enbrel. You must stand up for yourself in theses circumstances, it's your health and wellbeing that it's affecting.

[flowerlover in reply to Paula-C]

Agreed. Thanks

[jojoishere]

Morning. Interesting to read your post today, as I had a letter this morning,stating I'm being changed from (imraldi) to Yuflyma.The reason being it said was there was an ingredient in it called (citrate) which cause Injections to sting.

Also says there's less liquid in the vials, so more cost effective, so nhs making savings, I've still got 6 imraldi left, so won't be starting it till about dec/ Jan, I've been on imraldi a year now, with no infections, or problems. Will be very wary now, hope you can get your old one back gentle hugs xx

[flowerlover in reply to jojoishere]

Thank you - yes be wary or possibly refuse to change? I believe we have that option

[Paula-C in reply to flowerlover]

This is what nice guidelines say.

Nice guidelines biosimilar drugs.

[Ummlulu in reply to Paula-C]

This is very useful Paula.

I’m having a bad flare having switched to Yufluma a few weeks ago. Never considered it could be change of brand that has rendered my treatment useless! Imraldi worked well for nearly 2years.

[Paula-C in reply to Ummlulu]

What gets me so annoyed is if a drugs working well why change it?

[flowerlover in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you - may be what I need if there is any argument

[flowerlover]

Thank you all for your replies