Switching from Remicade to Stelara

[Ricky_V]

My daughter is in remission on Remicade and Doctor feels it is a good time to move to a more gut targeted biologic. What are others advice and experiences moving to Stelara?

 

[awoenker12]

If she is in remission, what is the point of changing biologics? Has she gotten a colonoscopy to show that there is inflammation and other issues? What I would be concerned is that if she is does not have good results from Stelara, she would most likely not be able to go back on Remicade due to antibody formation. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

As for me personally, I have never been on Stelara. I have been on Remicade and it has worked great for me.

 

[Lisa]

I would also want to know why change if it is working???

 

[GI Jane]

I remember when I switched earlier than I thought they should on ?? sorry can't remember they told me sometimes it's better to switch when you're doing ok. When you're in crisis it's so much harder for your body to catch up.

I'm going to start Stelara in about 6 weeks so sorry can't advise on. I was on Remicade and was doing great then about the 6 month mark I got Lupis from it. Rarer side effect from it I guess unfortunately because it was a wonder drug for me.

Take care.

 

[Kas8173]

If you are on a biologic and in remission it is strongly discouraged to switch to a different biologic, your doctor should know this.

• You don't know that stelara will work for your daughter, she may as well stay on remicade if that appears to be working
• If she switches to stelara, and then it stops working later on, she may not be able to go back to remicade because you form antibodies to it when you stop

 

[twob]

My son developed horrible psoriasis on remicade after 4 yearS. Want to move him to stelara. Anyone has advice on this. Does stelara works as well without the bad side effects?

 

[Jo-mom]

Ricky_V - I echo what the above comments suggested. If it's working, why change to another biologic? It's good to have those other options if and when needed but not before.

 

[tomi2much]

My daughter is in remission on Remicade and Doctor feels it is a good time to move to a more gut targeted biologic. What are others advice and experiences moving to Stelara?

Did your daughter switch to the Stelara? If so, how is she doing with it? I was in the drug trial for Stelara and I've been in remission for 2 years. The only side effects I've had are small skin growths easily taken care of at the dermatologist.

 

[Ricky_V]

Hi Everyone, It has been a while since my last update but I am happy to report that both of my daughters have switched to Stelara over the spring and summer and are both doing well. Initially, we were just moving Renee off Remicade to Stelara but then Julia began to fall out of an 11-year remission on 6MP so we decided to move both girls to Stelara. No side effects to report at this time and Renee has had a followup Colonoscopy that showed remission. Hoping we will luck into some more long term remissions to buy time for new meds or a cure.