There are four biologic drugs approved to treat Crohn’s disease. Biologic drugs work by interfering with the body’s inflammatory response in Crohn’s disease.
Some of them work by blocking TNF, a type of protein called a cytokine that triggers inflammation. One works by binding to cells in the bloodstream that are key to causing inflammation.
All have different side effects and dosages. Use this chart to find information for each biologic.
|
Generic and Brand Name |
Class of Drug |
Injection or Infusion |
Dosage frequency (How often is dose given) |
Common side effects/Cautions |
|
adalimumab (Humira) |
TNF-blocker |
Injection |
Given 2 weeks after the first injection, then every other week
|
Common side effects include upper respiratory infection, reactions at the injection site, headache, and rash. Other serious side effects include worsening or new onset heart failure, serious allergic reactions, a nerve condition that causes weakness and numbness, a lupus-like syndrome, and an increased risk of serious infections and lymphoma. Before starting this drug, patients should be screened for tuberculosis and then monitored for disease activation during treatment. |
|
certolizumab (Cimzia) |
TNF-blocker |
Injection |
Given at 2 and 4 weeks after first injection, then every 4 weeks
|
Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, rash, and joint pain. Other serious side effects include worsening or new onset heart failure, serious allergic reactions, a nerve condition that causes weakness and numbness, a lupus-like syndrome, and an increased risk of serious infections and lymphoma. Before starting this drug, patients should be screened for tuberculosis and then monitored for disease activation during treatment. |
|
infliximab (Remicade) |
TNF-blocker |
Infusion |
Given at 2 and 6 weeks after the first infusion, then every 8 weeks thereafter
|
Common side effects include upper respiratory infections, reactions at the infusion site, headache, and abdominal pain. Other serious side effects include worsening or new onset heart failure, serious allergic reactions, a nerve condition that causes weakness and numbness, a lupus-like syndrome, and an increased risk of serious infections and lymphoma.Before starting this drug, patients should be screened for tuberculosis and then monitored for disease activation during treatment. |
|
natalizumab (Tysabri) |
Monoclonal antibody |
Infusion |
Every four weeks
|
Common side effects include headache, upper respiratory infection, nausea, and fatigue. Other serious side effects include liver damage and serious allergic reactions. Tysabri increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a viral infection of the brain that often causes death or severe disability. People with weakened immune systems should not take Tysabri.
|
