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Biologic Drugs: Fact Sheets

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Amevive (alefacept)

Effective November 16, 2011, Amevive was voluntarily discontinued. This action was not due to any specific safety concern nor the result of FDA-mandated or voluntary product recall. If you are currently taking Amevive please consult with your physician about a transition plan to an alternative therapy as soon as possible. If you take Amevive, you can access support programs through Astellas Pharma US, Inc. until March 16, 2012. Learn more »

Enbrel (etanercept)

• FDA-approved for treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
• Patients give themselves an injection once or twice a week
• Taken continuously to maintain results
• May reduce the progression of joint damage
• Occasional blood tests are recommended

Humira (adalimumab)

• FDA-approved for treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Individuals give themselves an injection usually every other week
• Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking Humira
• May reduce the progression of joint damage
• Occasional blood tests are recommended

Remicade (infliximab)

• FDA-approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn’s disease
• Given by three infusions in a doctor’s office during the first six weeks of treatment
• Later infusions repeated every eight weeks
• Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking infliximab
• May reduce the progression of joint damage
• Blood tests are recommended on a regular basis

Simponi (golimumab)

• FDA-approved for psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
• Patients give themselves an injection one time per month
• Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking
• May reduce the progression of joint damage
• Blood tests are recommended on a regular basis

Stelara (ustekinumab)

• FDA-approved for plaque psoriasis
• After two initial doses at weeks 0 and 4, patients receive an injection by a health care provider once every 12 weeks
• Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking Stelara
• Occasional blood tests are recommended

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