Certolizumab and Rash: What Users Say

• Que...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2020

Cimzia (certolizumab) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Cimzia has been successful for me. RA flares reduced to once every 3 or 4 months, and these have occurred with cause (using my hands for heavy work or undergoing a stressful event). Only possible (not sure to blame Cimzia) side effect has been a recurring minor skin rash that I control with OTC creams. I receive a monthly injection at my rheumatologist and would hate to give up this medication!"

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2020

Cimzia (certolizumab) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been on Cimzia for about a year, with good but not great success. The injections are very painful. My recent problem is I am getting a very itchy, red rash on my eyelids. It starts on one eye, then moves to the other. It then goes away, and the skin flakes off. After a week, it starts the cycle over again. Waiting to get into the dermatologist before fully blaming the Cimzia."

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2019

Cimzia (certolizumab) for Spondyloarthritis "Side effects from Cimzia last about a day or two after injection (slight fatigue, mild headache, and mild diarrhea). Nothing compared to my life before Cimzia. Cimzia has lowered GI distress by over 80% and joint pain by about 50%. I have had dark bruising or redness, swelling, and rash at the injection site, but it never lasts more than a week. It also doesn't happen every time. I do place a timer on my phone to remind me when I'm due, as well as the last injection site, because it's easy to forget. You do want to move around each injection. I also make sure the Cimzia is not super cold before injecting, and I go very slowly, as it seems to not burn as badly when injecting as well. I did have a horrible reaction to Humira, within 12 hours, I came down with an intense pneumonia. The docs think it was an adverse reaction, thankfully, I have never had that with Cimzia."

• Hon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2022

Cimzia (certolizumab) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took Cimzia injections once a month at the RA doctor's infusion lab. Worked like a charm on the terrible joint pain in my hands and wrists, until by month 10 I started getting tiny red spots on my hands that eventually turned into what I thought was a rash. Two months after that first appearance of dots and three visits later to a dermatologist and biopsy on my palm, I’m told I have palm pustular psoriasis! My feet and hands are covered with painful blisters, broken skin, and cuts. It’s difficult to walk - have to wear medical gloves to do anything around the house that requires water or prepping food. Waiting to see what my options are after dermatologist consults with RA doc this week. Would not wish this on anyone!"