Switching biologics - how is it done?
Just wondering if a person switches, say, from Enbrel to Humira, do you have to have a waiting period (of more than 3 days, for the 25 mg shot) before you switch over to Humira? In other words, do you have to wait until the enbrel is more out of your system...
As far as I know you'd only have to wait time between shots. When I switched from Humira to enbrel the only reason I had to wait is because of insurance approval. But the doctor said take it within the next when or as soon as you can get it. Humira is every two weeks and enbrel is every week unless you need a higher dose. Hope this was helpful.
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not as far as I know. When I switched from Enbrel to Humira, I took my last Enbrel shot air and at my next scheduled day to get the injection, I took Humira. It is my impression that Enbrel metabolizes much quicker than Humira - in other words, it works faster and in my experience, leave your body faster, as well. You can expect that it may take up to 6-8 weeks for the Humira to really kick in, so having Enbrel already in your system to bridge the gap can be very helpful. You may also want to talk to your doctor about anti-inflammatories or perhaps prednisone should you have a bit of a flare between the Enbrel leaving and the Humira building to full effect.
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I was taking 50mg of Enbrel twice a week and my rheumy wanted me to wait one full week from the last shot to the first Remicade infusion. I think they just don't want you to have both biologics in your system at the same time. (I know this is an old post, sorry)
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no Problem - I just replied to an older one of yours!
Thanks, as it turned out, I didn't have to switch, thankfully.
E