Special Precautions

Before starting CIMZIA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Think you have an infection. You should not start taking CIMZIA if you have any kind of infection
Are being treated for an infection
Have signs of an infection, such as a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms
Have any open cuts or sores on your body
Get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back
Have diabetes
Have HIV
Have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB
Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk of getting TB. Ask your doctor if you are not sure
Live or lived in certain parts of country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys) where there is an increased risk for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis). These infections may develop or become severe if you take CIMZIA. If you do not know if you have lived in these types of areas, ask your doctor
Have or have had hepatitis B
Have or have had any type of cancer
Have congestive heart failure
Have seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis
Are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Do not receive a live vaccine while taking CIMZIA
Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. CIMZIA has not been studied in pregnant or nursing women
Are allergic to any of the ingredients in CIMZIA
Are taking any medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your doctor will tell you if it is okay to take your other medicines while taking CIMZIA.
Especially, tell your doctor if you take:

Kineret^® (anakinra), Orencia^® (abatacept), Rituxan^® (rituximab), Tysabri^® (natalizumab). You have a higher chance for serious infections when taking CIMZIA with these medicines
A TNF blocker: Remicade^® (infliximab), Humira^® (adalimumab), Enbrel^® (etanercept) or Simponi^® (golimumab)

After starting CIMZIA, if you get an infection; any sign of an infection including a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms; or have open cuts or sores on your body, call your doctor right away. CIMZIA can make you more likely to get infections or make any infection that you may have worse.

What should I tell my doctor before starting treatment with CIMZIA?

CIMZIA may not be right for you. Before starting CIMZIA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have an infection. (See, 'What is the most important information I should know about CIMZIA?')
Have or have had any type of cancer.
Have congestive heart failure.
Have seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis.
Are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Do not receive a live vaccine while taking CIMZIA.
Are allergic to any of the ingredients in CIMZIA. See the end of this Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients in CIMZIA.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. CIMZIA has not been studied in pregnant or nursing women.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Your doctor will tell you if it is okay to take your other medicines while taking CIMZIA. Especially, tell your doctor if you take:

Kineret^® (anakinra), Orencia^® (abatacept), Rituxan^® (rituximab), Tysabri^® (natalizumab). You have a higher chance for serious infections when taking CIMZIA with Kineret^®, Orencia^®, Rituxan^®, or Tysabri^®.
A TNF blocker: Remicade^® (infliximab), Humira^® (adalimumab), Enbrel^® (etanercept), Simponi^™ (golimumab).

You should not take CIMZIA while you take one of these medicines.

Also, see additional side effects.

CIMZIA is used to lessen the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in adults who have not been helped enough by usual treatments.