Two medicines, side by side
Adalimumab vs golimumab
Adalimumab and golimumab are both labeled for crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of adalimumab since 2002 and of golimumab since 2009. Pharmacies paid $1,587.82 per mL (Adalimumab-adaz(cf) pen 40 mg/0.4 mL) and $12,890.32 per mL (Simponi 50 mg/0.5 mL pen injec) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Adalimumab, “Adalimumab products bind specifically to TNF-alpha and block its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors.”; Golimumab, “Golimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to both the soluble and transmembrane bioactive forms of human TNFα.”
Check it at the source: the adalimumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 21, 2025); the golimumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025).
Highlights of the adalimumab record
Adalimumab (Humira) · label of October 21, 2025
SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with adalimumab products, including Adalimumab-adaz, are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. Discontinue Adalimumab-adaz if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdalimumab-adaz is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blocker indicated for: • Reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 2002
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $1,587.82 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the golimumab record
Golimumab (Simponi) · label of September 9, 2025
SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Serious infections leading to hospitalization or death including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal (such as histoplasmosis), and other opportunistic infections have occurred in patients receiving SIMPONI ARIA ( 5.1 ). Discontinue SIMPONI ARIA if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis ( 5.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsSIMPONI ARIA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with moderately to severely active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in combination with methotrexate ( 1.1 ) Active Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) in patients 2 years of age and older ( 1.2 ) Adult patients with active Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) ( 1.3 ) Active polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA) in patients 2 […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 24, 2009
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $12,890.32 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Adalimumab label of October 21, 2025, Golimumab label of September 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do adalimumab and golimumab differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Adalimumab, “Adalimumab products bind specifically to TNF-alpha and block its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors.”; Golimumab, “Golimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to both the soluble and transmembrane bioactive forms of human TNFα.”
Both are in FDA's class tumor necrosis factor blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Adalimumab, “The mean terminal half-life was approximately 2 weeks, ranging from 10 to 20 days across studies.”; Golimumab, “The mean terminal half-life was estimated to be 12 ± 3 days in healthy subjects and the mean terminal half-life in RA …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
| Adalimumab | Golimumab | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Psoriasis | Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis |
| Pharmacologic class | Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker | Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Adalimumab products bind specifically to TNF-alpha and block its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors. Adalimumab products also lyse surface TNF expressing cells in vitro in the presence of complement. | Golimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to both the soluble and transmembrane bioactive forms of human TNFα. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean terminal half-life was approximately 2 weeks, ranging from 10 to 20 days across studies. | The mean terminal half-life was estimated to be 12 ± 3 days in healthy subjects and the mean terminal half-life in RA patients was 14 ± 4 days. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 2002 | April 24, 2009 |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1,587.82 per mL (Adalimumab-adaz(cf) pen 40 mg/0.4 mL) | $12,890.32 per mL (Simponi 50 mg/0.5 mL pen injec) |
| 12-month price change | -0.3% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 712,308 | 12,308 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to adalimumab
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions