adalimumab vs certolizumab
Side-by-side comparison of adalimumab and certolizumab Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Humira
Cimzia
Idacio is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It is used to treat several diseases, including arthritis and Crohn's disease.
Cimzia is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It helps reduce inflammation and other symptoms of certain diseases.
Idacio can help adults with rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint pain and damage. It can also help children (2 years and older) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Idacio treats psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and uveitis.
Cimzia treats Crohn's disease by easing symptoms. It also helps keep the disease under control in adults. Cimzia can also treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in adults. It is also used for juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 2 years and older.
Idacio works by blocking a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF can cause inflammation and damage in certain diseases. By blocking TNF, Idacio can reduce these symptoms.
Cimzia blocks a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF can cause inflammation and damage in certain diseases. By blocking TNF, Cimzia can reduce these symptoms.
- • Infections (like colds or sinus infections)
- • Injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, or swelling)
- • Headache
- • Rash
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Rash
- • Urinary tract infection
- The medicine is not working 90,713
- Pain 49,062
- Joint pain 48,041
- Pain at the injection site 47,251
- Tiredness 39,113
No adverse event reports.
Idacio can increase your risk of serious infections that could lead to hospitalization or death. Tell your doctor if you have any infections before starting Idacio. Idacio may also increase your risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma. Children and teens taking TNF blockers like Idacio have developed rare, aggressive cancers.
Cimzia can make you more likely to get serious infections that could lead to death. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of infection before starting Cimzia. Children and teenagers taking TNF blockers like Cimzia have a higher chance of getting lymphoma and other cancers.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Idacio can cross the placenta and may affect your baby's immune system. Talk to your doctor about vaccines for your baby if you took Idacio during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Studies suggest Cimzia transfer to the baby is minimal during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of getting vaccines if your baby was exposed to Cimzia during pregnancy.
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How to Read This adalimumab vs certolizumab Comparison
adalimumab is classified in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) drug class, while certolizumab sits within the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, adalimumab has 274,180 submissions while certolizumab has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between adalimumab and certolizumab — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.