This site is intended for patients prescribed Simponi (golimumab). If you are a Healthcare Professional then go to the HCP site or if you are a member of the public, please visit our public site.

Any questions?

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about taking Simponi for:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  • Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
  • Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
  • Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
What should I do if I miss my dose?

If you are less than two weeks late:

  • Inject the forgotten dose as soon as you remember and keep to your current schedule.

If you are more than two weeks late:

  • Inject the forgotten dose as soon as you remember and ask your doctor or pharmacist when to take the next dose.
When will I notice a difference?

For UC Patients

Patients usually show clinical improvement within 12-14 weeks of treatment, after the first 4 doses.

For RA, PsA, nr-axSpA, AS

Most patients notice a difference after taking 3-4 doses (around 12-14 weeks after the first treatment):

  • RA and PsA patients usually notice a reduction in signs and symptoms of your disease, slowing down of the damage to your bones and improved physical function.
  • AS and nr-axSpA patients may notice a reduction in signs and symptoms of your disease and improved physical function
Will the injection hurt?

The SmartJect pen and syringe both have a very thin, short needle that injects just below the skin surface to help keep pain to a minimum. Simponi has been specially formulated to reduce the likelihood of feeling any pain.

Can I take Simponi with other medication?

Simponi must not be taken in combination with medicines containing anakinra or abatacept. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking. You should also notify them if you have recently had, or are due to have, a vaccine.

What about allergies?

The SmartJect pen and pre-filled syringe contain latex – talk to your doctor before taking Simponi if you have a latex allergy.

Simponi contains sorbitol (E420). If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Simponi.

What about going on holiday?

If you need to take your Simponi dose when you are on holiday, make sure it is kept at the right temperature (between 2°C and 8°C) while travelling. You can organise your delivery to fit around your holiday plans.

Find out more

For more support and information about your condition, visit:

For RA, PsA, nr-axSpA, AS For UC

Patient Alert Card

Don't forget you should always carry your Patient Alert Card with you and show it to any healthcare professional who is treating you. You can find this in your Simponi box.

Patient Alert Card

Simponi is a prescription-only medicine and must be used under medical supervision.

Reporting side effects

If you experience any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Adverse events should also be reported to Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited (tel: 01992 467272).

Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited Registered Office:

Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 9BU.

A company registered in England and Wales.

Company Registration Number: 820771

Patient Information Leaflet for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis or Ulcerative Colitis

Patient Information Pack for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis or Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Patient Information Pack for people with Ulcerative Colitis

© Merck Sharp and Dohme Limited. All rights reserved. 2018

MULT-1233761-0003 | Date of preparation: May 2018

Contact

For further information about Simponi (golimumab) please contact our Medical Information Department at:

Medical Information Department

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd.

Hertford Road

Hoddesdon

Hertfordshire

EN11 9BU

Tel: 01992 467272

E-mail: medicalinformationuk@merck.com

External link

The link you have selected is not under the review or control of MSD and, as such, the company does not endorse the content, its accuracy, or any practices or standards contained within it.

Please confirm you wish to follow this link.

References

  1. Kanai T et al. Korean J Intern Med 2014; 29(4): 409-15
  2. Olendzki BC et al. Nutr J 2014; 13(5): 1-7.
  3. Brown AC et al. Expert Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol 2011; 5(3): 411-25
  4. Pituch-Zdanowksa A et al. Prz Gastroenterol 2015; 10(3): 135-41.
  5. Oliviero F et al. Swiss Med Wkly 2015; 145: w14190.
  6. Clinton CM et al. Arthritis 2015; 2015: Article ID 708152.
  7. Narula N, Fedorak RN. Can J Gastroenterol 2008; 22 (5): 497-504
  8. Bilski J et al. BioMed Res Int 2014; Volume 2014 (Article ID 429031): 1-14.
  9. Benatti FB, Pedersen BK. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2015; 11: 86-97
  10. Nolte K et al. S Afr Fam Pract 2013; 55: 345-9
  11. Metsios GA et al. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2015 [Epub ahead of print]
  12. Brophy S et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2013; 42: 619-26