PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

adalimumab vs golimumab

Side-by-side comparison of adalimumab and golimumab Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
adalimumab TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)
golimumab TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)
Type
adalimumab Prescription
golimumab Prescription
Summary
adalimumab

Idacio is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It is used to treat several diseases, including arthritis and Crohn's disease.

golimumab

Simponi Aria is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It is used to treat certain kinds of arthritis and a spine problem called ankylosing spondylitis.

What It Treats
adalimumab

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.

golimumab

Simponi Aria treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It can help reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. For rheumatoid arthritis, you will take this medicine with methotrexate.

How It Works
adalimumab

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.

golimumab

Simponi Aria is a TNF blocker. TNF is a protein in the body that can cause inflammation. By blocking TNF, Simponi Aria can reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Common Side Effects
adalimumab
  • Infections (like colds or sinus infections)
  • Injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, or swelling)
  • Headache
  • Rash
golimumab
  • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Viral infection
  • Decreased neutrophil count (a type of white blood cell)
  • Bronchitis
FAERS Reports
adalimumab
  • The medicine is not working 90,713
  • Pain 49,062
  • Joint pain 48,041
  • Pain at the injection site 47,251
  • Tiredness 39,113
golimumab
  • The medicine is not working 21,070
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 14,099
  • Pain 13,403
  • Tiredness 11,277
  • Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 9,986
Serious Warnings
adalimumab

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.

golimumab

Simponi Aria can increase your risk of serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. These include tuberculosis (TB) and fungal infections. You should be tested for TB before starting this medicine. Children and adolescents taking TNF blockers like Simponi Aria have a higher risk of lymphoma and other cancers, some of which have been fatal.

Pregnancy
adalimumab

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.

golimumab

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Simponi Aria can cross the placenta and may affect your baby's immune system. Live vaccines are not recommended for infants exposed to Simponi Aria in the womb for 6 months after the mother's last dose.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This adalimumab vs golimumab Comparison

adalimumab is classified in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) drug class, while golimumab 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 golimumab has 69,835. 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 golimumab — 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.