What is Simponi: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Simponi

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein or as a shot under your skin. Simponi Aria® must be injected slowly, so the IV will need to stay in place for 30 minutes.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

• Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, or hard, or have scars or stretch marks.

• Check the liquid in the syringe or autoinjector. It should be clear and colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use Simponi® if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not shake the medicine.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect the medicine from direct light. Keep the medicine in the original package until you are ready to use it. You may also store the medicine in the original carton at room temperature for 30 days, as needed. Do not put it back in the refrigerator once you have stored it at room temperature, and throw it away after 30 days.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

What to do if you miss a dose of Simponi

Simponi contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to golimumab.

Simponi warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, cancer, heart failure, diabetes, COPD, psoriasis, problems with your immune system, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis, or a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection (including hepatitis B or tuberculosis) or an infection that keeps coming back. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk for infectionIncreased risk of certain cancers (including lymphoma, leukemia, colon cancer, skin cancer)Heart problems, including heart failureLiver problemsLupus-like syndrome

• You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive TB skin test or been exposed to TB.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

• Warm, red, swollen, or painful skin, blisters, skin sores

Simponi interactions

• Some medicines can affect how golimumab works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, cyclosporine, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab, theophylline, tocilizumabBlood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine that weakens the immune system (including a steroid or cancer medicine)

• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.