Hello - Has Anyone Switched from Remicade to Humira?

[dpinto]

Hi all,

I have was diagnosed with Crohn's about 4 years ago. I have been on many medications in the past 4 years to get my disease under control. I am in process of making a switch from Remicade to Humira. Has anyone else done the same? My main reason was for the convenience (can do it myself at home). I have been a nurse for 26 years and work in a surgery/endoscopy unit. Isn't that convenient? : )

 

[lizbeth]

Hello,

I sorry I can't give you any advice as I have no experience of either drugs, but I'm sure there will be someone along soon that can help you. I'm not so sure your job was the best to have given your situation is it not a case a of toooooo much information lol?, I like to know whats going on but it must be really strange you being on the receiving end, no pun intended. Hope you get the info you're looking for, good luck with the switch. :ghug:

 

[dpinto]

It is good in some ways and not so good in others. I work with the people who did my last colonoscopy, but after having 6 so far it really doesn't bother me. I get to see the GI docs work, so I know who I want taking care of me and more importantly who I don't want taking care of me!!! I recently changed docs and I work with both of them, so that is a little awkward : /

 

[purdueCrohns]

Humira is essentially the same thing but a humanized version. Remicade is derived from mouse proteins

 

[Sehath]

Howdy!

In my most recent flare, I have been treated with both Remicade and subsequently Humira after the failure of Remicade. I experienced no ill side-effects with either, although the Humira has also all but been declared a failure by my Gastro as well. Still it was certainly easy and convenient to take, especially compared to Remicade.

Discussions of Cimzia with doc, although was turned down once by insurance already.

Hope this was somewhat helpful!

 

[stefan]

I'm one of many people I know in Australia who has switched from infliximab to Humira after infliximab lost efficacy after the loading dose, this is largely put down to our public health only allowing for the standard 5mg/kg dose, where in other countries it may be more common to double it for those who don't respond.

Of these dozens who switched, I can think of only 2 or 3 where neither worked, and 1 where she returned to double dose infliximab (thanks to compassionate funding from the drug company) as Humira failed to treat all her symptoms effectively.

As both drugs are equally funded by Australian public health, there has been much talk amongst the medical community about which to attempt first, as while infliximab has traditionally been used first, you're right that Humira can be more convenient for many, and does typically have less risk of side effects too.

Good luck with your transition

2

 

[purdueCrohns]

I often tell my friends about how public health is not all upside... they don't believe me.

 

[stefan]

Sorry to drag this OT, but you could make the same argument about the entire concept of health insurance really, as they all have to draw the line somewhere when assessing cost/benefit, particularly when more cost effective alternatives (eg Humira) are available. That said, having either is still much better than the alternative, especially if you're unlucky enough to have a chronic illness.

Agreed with what I think you're trying to say though, that there does need to be more flexibility in any such system to account for the abnormal or complex cases. Luckily in Australia this is a hole the state-funded public hospitals tend to fill. Over the years they have approved at least 6 of the more expensive medications for me where I don't meet the federally-funded Medicare criteria, and in some cases even fit any of the drugs documented indications. This did actually include infliximab just several weeks prior to it being funded federally.

 

[Susan1978]

Hi there-I made the switch from Remicade to Humira about 5 years ago and I must say, it was one of the best moves I ever made. I became allergic to Remicade after my 4th infusion, so I was so happy to learn there was such a convenient alternative. It was so much nicer to be able to do the quick injection from the comfort of my own home, and I was so lucky not to have a single side effect from this medication. It really worked well for me-I hope you have the same good luck!

 

[dpinto]

Thanks everyone for the responses. They are much appreciated. Hopefully my medication will be ready in a few days and I can get started.

I do worry about all the changes in our present health care system. A few of the MD's I work with are saying that they think people will start having to pay for their services up front and get their own reimbursement from their insurance company. They say this is how it used to be years ago. This will be very difficult for those of us who are on expensive medications and have to have frequent procedures due to the nature of our disease. We'll see.

 

[stefan]

I do worry about all the changes in our present health care system. A few of the MD's I work with are saying that they think people will start having to pay for their services up front and get their own reimbursement from their insurance company. They say this is how it used to be years ago. This will be very difficult for those of us who are on expensive medications and have to have frequent procedures due to the nature of our disease. We'll see.

That doesn't sound cool, I haven't heard of that happening in any other socialised health system.

In Australia the only situation I can think of where that happens is for private health professional appointments where they charge more than the scheduled rate, and do not accept gap payments. Public appointments (eg those at public hospitals), and any health professionals that bulk bill are both free, and PBS subsidised medications require only the gap rate, eg maximum of $36.10 for a double pack of Humira, and considerably less for pensioners etc.

It's definitely not perfect, but it works pretty well, and hopefully the US adopts a decent model. There are plenty of electronic systems becoming more popular to claim instantly here now too, and Medicare now give the option pay rebates directly in to bank accounts instead of posting cheques.

The Australian private health industry has set up a similar system, with the vast majority of these professionals having a "HiCaps" machine that claims from private insurers in real time and only ever requires you to pay the gap.