adalimumab vs golimumab

PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.

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
  • Pain 49,062
  • Arthralgia 48,039
  • Injection Site Pain 47,251
  • Fatigue 39,111
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis 35,573
golimumab
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis 14,100
  • Pain 13,403
  • Fatigue 11,277
  • Joint Swelling 9,729
  • Arthralgia 9,679
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 219,036 submissions while golimumab has 58,188. 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 represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for adalimumab or golimumab.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.