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Simponi Aria

golimumab
Used for Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis

Simponi Aria (golimumab) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker (or inhibitor). It's used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA). Simponi Aria (golimumab) is given as an infusion into the veins typically once a month for 2 doses, then once every 2 months after that. Side effects of this medication include upper respiratory tract infections and rash.

Reviewed by:
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewerConnie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on October 18, 2024
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What is Simponi Aria (golimumab)?

What is Simponi Aria (golimumab) used for?

How Simponi Aria (golimumab) works

Simponi Aria (golimumab) is a type of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that's classified as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker (or inhibitor). TNF is a protein in the body that plays a key role in inflammation. By blocking TNF, Simponi Aria (golimumab) lowers inflammation in your body to treat pain and swelling in your joints caused by autoimmune conditions.

Drug facts

Common BrandsSimponi Aria
Drug ClassTNF blocker
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Simponi Aria (golimumab)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Note: Side effects reported by people with RA who also took methotrexate at the same time.

Less Common Side Effects

Simponi Aria (golimumab) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious infections: fever, difficulty breathing, cough, weakness, sweating, chills, diarrhea, stomach pain, burning when you urinate, urinating more frequently
  • Heart failure: shortness of breath; swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet; irregular heartbeat; inability to exercise; tiredness; weakness
  • Possible signs of cancer: loss of appetite; fatigue; lumps on skin; swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin; weight loss; nosebleeds
  • Allergic reactions: hives, itching, swelling of face or tongue, difficulty breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following Simponi Aria (golimumab) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Body aches or pain

chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

ear congestion

fever

headache

loss of voice

muscle aches

sneezing

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

trouble breathing

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

cough with mucus

diarrhea

dizziness

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hoarseness

joint pain

loss of appetite

nasal congestion

nausea

nervousness

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

painful cold sores or blisters on the lips

pounding in the ears

shivering

slow or fast heartbeat

sweating

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness in the chest

trouble with sleeping

trouble with swallowing

voice changes

vomiting

Rare

Bone pain

frequent or painful urination

redness, soreness, or itching of the skin

severe stomach pain

sores, welts, or blisters

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Hives, skin rash

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

red, scaling, or crusted skin

swelling of the face, throat, or tongue

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

burning or stinging of the skin

difficulty having a bowel movement

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Simponi Aria (golimumab)

Pros

  • Given once every 2 months (except at the start of treatment)
  • Can be used in children ages 2 years old with PsA and pJIA
  • Not made with rubber latex (unlike Simponi)

Cons

  • Needs to be infused through the veins by a healthcare professional
  • Infusion can take about 30 minutes
  • Raises the risk for serious infections
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Pharmacist tips for Simponi Aria (golimumab)

pharmacist
  • Each Simponi Aria (golimumab) infusion takes about 30 minutes. You're recommended to wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy access to your arm because this medication is typically infused through the arm. Consider bringing books or music to help you pass the time. Ask your healthcare team if they have any specific instructions for you to help you prep for the infusion.
  • Some people might experience infusion-related reactions with Simponi Aria (golimumab). Let your healthcare team know if you experience rash, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
  • You'll receive Simponi Aria (golimumab) monthly for the first 2 doses, then every other month after that. If you miss an appointment, call you healthcare team to make another appointment as soon as possible.
  • Simponi Aria (golimumab) raises your risk of getting a serious infection. Let your healthcare team know right away if you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, body ache, or chills. They can examine you to see what kind of infection you might have and talk with you about next steps.
  • Share a list of all the medications you're taking, or have recently taken, before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab). They'll review your medications and will make sure they're all safe to take together.
  • Tell your care team that you're taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) before receiving any vaccines. You won't be able to receive any live vaccines (e.g., MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), FluMist Quadrivalent (live-attenuated influenza vaccine)) while taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) and for 6 months after your last infusion. You're recommended to be up-to-date on vaccines before starting treatment.
  • Let your care team know if you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding before taking Simponi Aria (golimumab). They'll discuss with you the risks and benefits of receiving this medication.
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Common questions about Simponi Aria (golimumab)

Both Simponi and Simponi Aria are brands that contain the same active ingredient, golimumab. Both medications are used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). But Simponi is approved for ulcerative colitis (UC), while Simponi Aria is approved for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA). Another difference is that Simponi is only approved for adults, but Simponi Aria can be used in children as young as 2 years old who have PsA and PJIA. Lastly, Simponi is given as an injection under the skin, whereas Simponi Aria is given as an infusion into the veins over 30 minutes. Talk to your healthcare professional (HCP) if you have specific questions about either brand.

Yes, Simponi Aria (golimumab) is a type of biologic medication, which is a type of medication that's made from living sources, like cells, in the lab. Simponi Aria (golimumab) is a monoclonal antibody, which is a lab-made protein that's made from cells.

No, Simponi Aria (golimumab) isn't a chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that kills all fast-growing cells and is typically used to treat cancer. Instead, Simponi Aria (golimumab) is a TNF blocker that treats several autoimmune conditions by lowering the activity of the immune system.

How long it takes for Simponi Aria (golimumab) to work can differ from person to person, and might depend on what condition you're taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) to treat. Studies show people who took Simponi Aria (golimumab) for RA, PsA, and AS and pJIA started to work to relieve symptoms in as early as 2 weeks. But it might take 6 months to experience more noticeable benefits from the medication. Contact your prescriber if you're concerned with how quickly Simponi Aria (golimumab) starts to work.

It takes about 10 weeks for most of Simponi Aria (golimumab) to leave your body after a dose. This timeframe is estimated based on the half-life of Simponi Aria (golimumab) and can differ from person to person. Talk with your prescriber if you have more questions about how long this medication stays in your body.

Weight gain isn't an expected side effect of Simponi Aria (golimumab). But taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) can cause or worsen symptoms of heart failure, including weight gain due to fluid build-up. Speak with your prescriber right away if you experience unusual weight gain after starting Simponi Aria (golimumab).

Simponi Aria (golimumab) can cause certain side effects that lead to fatigue. For example, Simponi Aria (golimumab) can raise the risk for infections (e.g., cold, flu), heart failure symptoms, and lupus-like symptoms. All of these conditions can cause you to feel tired or fatigued. Let your healthcare team know if you feel a noticeable drop in your energy level after starting Simponi Aria (golimumab). They can examine you to better understand what might be causing your symptoms. If needed, they might ask you to pause Simponi Aria (golimumab) treatment.

No, hair loss wasn't a side effect reported by people using Simponi Aria (golimumab) in clinical studies. If you notice hair loss while you're taking Simponi Aria (golimumab), contact your healthcare team so they can help you figure out possible causes.

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Risks and warnings for Simponi Aria (golimumab)

Simponi Aria (golimumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Serious infections

  • Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken your immune system | Taking Orencia (abatacept) or Kineret (anakinra) | Ages 65 years and older | Active, long-term, or frequent infections | Living in or traveling to places with high rates of TB or fungal infections | Conditions that can raise your risk for infection

Black Box Warning Simponi Aria (golimumab) can affect your body's ability to fight off infections. This raises your risk of serious or life-threatening bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Your risk is higher if you’re already taking other medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., steroids, methotrexate). Before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab), tell your prescriber about your medical conditions and medications so they can make sure Simponi Aria (golimumab) is appropriate for you.

blank icon Treatment with Simponi Aria (golimumab) can also cause new or old tuberculosis (TB) infections to come back. Similarly, the medication can reactivate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) if you're a carrier of the virus. For these reasons, you'll need to get tested for both TB and HBV before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab) and get treatment if you test positive (meaning you're infected with TB or HBV).

blank warning iconIf you develop symptoms of an infection (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, weakness, sweating, chills) while taking Simponi Aria (golimumab), get medical help right away. Your healthcare team might ask you to stop taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) so your body can fight the infection.

Risk of cancer

  • Risk factors: Age 18 years and younger | Taking medications that weaken your immune system | History of cancer | Severe inflammatory conditions

Black Box Warning Though rare, people who took other tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker have reported developing certain types of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and skin cancer. Because Simponi Aria (golimumab) is a TNF blocker, it might also raise the risk of getting cancers. The risk is higher for people who are younger than 18 years old, taking other medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., mercaptopurine, azathioprine (Imuran)), or have severe inflammatory conditions. Your prescriber will assess your risk before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab) and monitor you while you're taking it. If you experience symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, frequent nosebleeds, or lumps on your skin, contact your prescriber.

Heart failure

  • Risk factors: History of heart failure

Simponi Aria (golimumab) can cause new or worsening heart failure. Let your prescriber know if you currently have heart failure, since you’ll need to be closely monitored while taking this medication. If you have any new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (e.g., shortness of breath, swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet, irregular heartbeat, unable to exercise, tiredness or weakness) while taking Simponi Aria (golimumab), stop the medication and contact your HCP.

Nervous system problems

  • Risk factors: History of a nervous system problem (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome)

Although rare, TNF blockers like Simponi Aria (golimumab) have been linked to new or worsening nervous system problems. These problems can include nerve damage and multiple sclerosis. Tell your provider if you have any neurological problems before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab). Also let your HCP know if you get dizziness, muscle weakness or spasms, changes in vision, or loss of balance while you're taking Simponi Aria (golimumab).

Lupus-like syndrome

Simponi Aria (golimumab) can cause a lupus-like syndrome, which is a condition where your body's immune system attacks itself. If this happens, you might experience flu-like symptoms, including fever and pain in your muscles and joints. Stop taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) and contact your prescriber if you have any of these symptoms. Once you stop taking the medication, your symptoms should go away.

Lower blood cell counts

Although rare, people taking TNF blockers like Simponi Aria (golimumab) have reported having low blood cell counts. This can raise the risk of serious infections, bleeding, and anemia. If your blood counts drop too low, you'll probably need to stop taking Simponi Aria (golimumab). If you develop any signs of infection (e.g., fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing) or signs of blood problems (pale skin, fast heart rate, lightheadedness, blood in your urine or stool), contact your HCP right away.

Serious medication interactions

Your healthcare team shouldn't prescribe Simponi Aria (golimumab) along with Kineret (anakinra) or Orencia (abatacept). Taking these medications together can raise the risk of serious side effects, including severe infections, without any additional benefits. Let your healthcare team know if you're already taking either Kineret (anakinra) or Orencia (abatacept) before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab).

Vaccines

Avoid getting live vaccines while you're taking Simponi Aria (golimumab) because there's a chance that you can get sick from them. Make sure you're up-to-date with vaccines before starting Simponi Aria (golimumab). Let the healthcare provider who's administering a vaccine to you that you're on Simponi Aria (golimumab). They'll double check to make sure it's safe for you to receive the vaccine.

Allergic reactions

Serious allergic reactions have been reported after using Simponi Aria (golimumab). These reactions can include rash, hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips, and anaphylaxis. Get medical help right away if you experience an allergic reaction to Simponi Aria (golimumab).

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Simponi Aria (golimumab) dosage

The average cost for 4 vials of 4ml of 50mg/4ml of Simponi Aria (golimumab) is $7,683.15 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 27.82% off the average retail price of $10,644.53.
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DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
4ml of 50mg/4ml4 vials$7,683.15$1,920.79

Typical dosage for Simponi Aria (golimumab)

Simponi Aria (golimumab) is given as an infusion into the veins (intravenous or IV) over 30 minutes.

  • Adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis: The typical dose is 2 mg/kg of body weight infused once a month for 2 doses, then once every 2 months thereafter.
  • Children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis or psoriatic arthritis: The typical dose is calculated based on your child's body surface area, which takes into account height and weight. The typical dose is 80 mg/m2 infused once a month for 2 doses, then once every 2 months thereafter.

Note: Golimumab is also available as brand name Simponi, which is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous or SQ)

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Interactions between Simponi Aria (golimumab) and other drugs

Simponi Aria (golimumab) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Simponi Aria (golimumab). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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What are alternatives to Simponi Aria (golimumab)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Simponi Aria (golimumab). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Simponi Aria (golimumab)
Used for:
$7,683.15Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$3,029.97Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
  • Childhood arthritis (polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA)
$852.17Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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References

Best studies we found

Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Ciccone, C. D. (1995). Basic pharmacokinetics and the potential effect of physical therapy interventions on pharmacokinetic variables. Physical Therapy.

Janssen Biotech, Inc. (2023). Simponi- golimumab injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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