My Experience With Injectable and Infusion Biologics

I’ve been on biologic drugs for my ankylosing spondylitis for 6 years now. I’ve been on 4, actually. Inflectra (infusion), Humira (injection), Cosentyx (injection), and Remicade (infusion). Now that I’ve been on 2 of each kind of biologic, I feel like I have enough experience to speak on it.

Inflectra and Remicade

Inflectra is a biosimilar of Remicade. A biosimilar is very similar but not identical to the biologic it’s referenced to. I started on Inflectra as my first biologic back in April of 2018. I was terrified! I was not yet good with needles and especially not IVs.

My first infusion was a lot. I stayed up almost the entire night before because I was so scared. Keep in mind I was only 22 at the time and 1 year into my journey with AS. I didn’t know that I should have been bringing some kind of juice to get the IV in. I brought water.

A little tip if you’re not good with blood or needles - drink apple juice right after! I almost blacked out because I was so squeamish, and my mom had to rush to the store downstairs to get me a bottle of juice. Another tip is to take a big, deep breath the second they put the needle in you, and take a deep breath out as well. That always helps me!

Infusions tend to be very peaceful once the IV is in. You have time to yourself to bring a book, your laptop, headphones, whatever you want. You get checked on for vitals every so often and after 2 or so hours, you’re done!

I was on Inflectra for 2 years before I switched medications.

I started Remicade in November of 2022 after finding out Humira and Cosentyx weren’t the drugs for me. Remicade has been amazing for me so far. Since I’m now 7 years into my journey with AS and very used to needles, getting infusions is not as big of a deal as it once was. I was diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis in 2022 and Remicade has brought it into remission since January 2023!

The only side effect I ever had from an infusion was a headache post-infusion. This happened to me on Inflectra, but with a new doctor who prescribed Remicade, I now take Tylenol and Benadryl as pre-meds for my infusions.

Cosentyx and Humira

I started on the Humira injectable pen in April 2020. I felt that Inflectra was wearing off and I wanted to try something new. Again I was worried because I didn’t know what to expect. As this was peak COVID, I couldn’t get a nurse to help me learn how to use the pen. Instead, I did a Facetime call with a pharmacist who walked me through the process of using an injectable auto-pen. I inject in my leg, but most people do their injections in their stomachs. I believe that you can usually get a nurse to teach you how to use it in a clinic for the first time.

The first shot I did I messed up. I let go of the pen and the medication went everywhere. It’s definitely more of a learning curve to do injections because you do them yourself at home. Administering a drug to yourself in the form of a needle can be scary! Like infusions, you just have to remember to take a deep breath and it’ll be done soon. To make injection days more fun, I bought kids bandaids and used them. I love the themes kids get on their bandaids! Much more fun than the plain ones. At least those bring a smile to your face after an injection!

I started Cosentyx in February 2021 after Humira didn’t work for me. I was on Cosentyx until November 2022, when I ultimately decided that these two injectable biologics were not for me. I spoke with my rheumatologist and we decided to try Remicade.

Which do I prefer?

After trying 4 biologics, 2 from each type, I do prefer the infusions. I look forward to them. I get some time to myself to do whatever I want, and I’m also out of the house. It feels nice, as weird as that sounds!

No matter what you and your doctor decide on, many people love both ways of getting biologics. It really depends on what you prefer the most!