Medication Information Leaflet
Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (anti-TNFα) belongs to a class of medications called biologics or more specifically, biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD).
Biologics work by blocking targeted parts of the immune system that cause inflammation in the body.
Anti-TNFα targets and blocks the effect of TNF. This reduces inflammation and flares, improves symptoms and quality of life, and prevents disease progression.
There are many anti-TNFα drugs available including adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab. It may be used alone (monotherapy) or together with other DMARDs.
Biologics are more costly compared to conventional DMARDs. Your doctor may discuss with you if there is a biosimilar (non-branded version of the original biologic) which works the same way as biologics at a more affordable cost.
Different biologics have different intervals between doses. If you forget to inject a dose, do it as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose at the usual time. Do not administer two doses to make up for the missed dose. DO check with your healthcare professional if unsure.
If you miss your infusion appointment, book another appointment as soon as possible. Inform your doctor about the missed/ late dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Avoid overcrowded places and stay away from people who are sick to prevent getting an infection.
Reactivation of infections such as tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis B may happen when you are on this medication, hence, your doctor will check for such infections before starting anti-TNFα.
It is important to monitor the effects of your new treatment, particularly during the first few months of treatment. If the symptoms persist or are severe, consult your doctor. You may need to have regular blood tests to monitor your blood counts while on this medication.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Long term use of anti-TNFα may increase the risk of lymphoma and other cancers. However, this is very rare. You may also be at higher risk if you are also taking certain medications that suppress the immune system. Your doctor will monitor/manage this risk closely.
Store in the refrigerator between 2-8◦C and protected from light. Do not freeze. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin. Dispose needles in a sharps box or tightly closed container to avoid needle prick injury.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on Oct 2022
This article was last reviewed on Friday, December 23, 2022