Newbie considering Medications

[Aiyale]

I'm recently diagnosed, currently on 15 mg Pred (and tapering) and 4 grams of Pentasa daily. This weekend I had a really bad flare. My GI thinks we have to get more aggressive

So that means back up to 30 mg of Prednisone (not fun, really unhappy) and waiting a few more weeks as we taper back down again to see if the Pentasa starts to take effect. I've been on it for 3 weeks, and I know that it can take a while...but GI seems to think its time to move to a biologic. She wanted me to do some research on Humira and Remicade and I did but I'm going to be honest and say that I am at a loss on how to choose.

Which one would you recommend trying first? Is one more successful than the other? Any and all advice comparing the two is welcome!

(Also apologies if this is a duplicate, I tried searching before posting but didn't find any previous thread comparing the two medicines)

 

[FrozenGirl]

I think remicade may have slightly higher response rates but I would choose by personal preference. Remicade is an IV med that after the loading doses at 0,2,and 6 weeks is every 8 weeks. Pros include no self injecting or pain as it goes in and the dose is easily adjustable Downside, less convinient, have to go to a hospital or infusion center. Humira is self injectable, pros include convience and dosing is somewhat adjustable. Downsides, apparently it stings quite a bit going in and you have to do it more often.

Good luck.

 

[araceli]

We have not tried Humira. We choose remicade for the following reasons. Done every 8 weeks after loading dose. Feeling safer being in hospital setting. I did not want to inject my daughter since I knew it will be an stressful event.

 

[SupportiveMom]

Aiyale, sorry you are struggling more with a flare. I wish I had a choice to give my kid when we went to Biologic treatments. She has been on Humira, Remicade, and is currently on Simponi. If I was to choose which one I would have started with Simponi because it fits our lifestyle best and no pain to administer. Most people though don't go through all the biologics like my kid has done. Remicade worked quickly for her, but effects wore off quickly and within 4 months was doing dosages every 4 weeks. Humira was easy for her schedules, we could chose more when to do it in the comfort of our own home. After 8 months we stopped because she wasn't responding to it. So far 6 months on Simponi and same ease of use in our own home and no issues with it.

If you are someone that hates to remember when to take your meds, or hate needles, go with Remicade. You give up a 1/2 day sitting for an jnfusion, but you tend to see results fast and it is scheduled like a doctors appointment . Otherwise talk to your doctor about Humira or Simponi.

Just my opinion having used them all on my kid.