![]() ![]() Some people have a reaction at the injection site. Self-injection is administered with prefilled syringes or auto-injectors - injection pens or e-devices - that come with the appropriate dose of medication. Many injectable biologics are now available for self-injection and can be safely taken at home. A subcutaneous injection uses a needle to release medication into the fatty tissue under the skin. Injections of biologics can be quickly administered with a syringe in a clinical setting, similar to other types of shots or vaccines. It works well, and I have no side effects from it.” Injections: What To Expect “I just had my monthly Orencia infusion today. “I was resistant and scared of infusions at first, but was in enough misery to give it a try after going through so many drugs that worked, then stopped or had negative side effects,” one myRAteam member wrote. It is not uncommon for people with RA to be wary of infusions, but many people adjust well to the procedure. Some biologic drug infusions take as little as 15 minutes, while others may take several hours.Īn infusion is a relatively painless procedure, usually experienced only as a pinprick when the needle is inserted into a vein. An infusion pump may be used to regulate the dosage of the biologic. The needle will deliver the medication from a tube attached to a bag that slowly releases the drug in drip over an allotted time to provide the necessary dosage. To get an infusion, you will go to a medical facility and have an IV needle inserted into your hand or arm. For me, it took about two months to really kick in!” said one myRAteam member. Some people with RA may experience quick relief when starting a biologic drug, but many biologics take time to start working, regardless of whether the drug is taken by infusion or injection. Injected biologics are administered with a needle that releases the medication under the skin. An infusion uses a needle to administer a biologic drug directly into a vein for release into the blood system. ![]() Infusions and injections are different ways of delivering a biologic medication. The Difference Between Infusion and Injection Read more about the different types of biologics for RA. The selective costimulation modulator Orencia (abatacept) is available for both subcutaneous injection and infusion. Some interleukin inhibitors are also available for infusion. Interleukin (IL) inhibitors, such as Actemra (tocilizumab) and Kineret (anakinra), are available for subcutaneous injection. B-Cell Inhibitorsī-cell inhibitors, such as Rituxan (rituximab), are only available for infusion. Other TNF inhibitors, such as Remicade (infliximab), may be available by infusion. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNF inhibitors), such as Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Enbrel (etanercept), and Humira (adalimumab), are only available for subcutaneous injection. There are four classes of biologic drugs that are available in various forms. Guide: How to find the right treatment for your RA condition These drugs will require IV infusions to be properly administered at the right dosage, usually in a clinical setting. In addition, some biologic therapies require high doses that may not be appropriate for injection. Compounds for biologic medications consist of large molecules that cannot be adequately absorbed in the digestive system if taken orally, which is why these medications must be taken by IV infusion or by injection.Ĭompound sensitivity, risk of degradation, and viscosity - or thickness of the fluid - are some of the factors that determine which biologic drugs must be infused, rather than injected. They are made with genetically modified proteins designed to target specific areas of the immune system that overreact and cause inflammation, joint pain, and joint damage in people with RA. Biologics are highly complex and sensitive compounds. ![]()
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