Two medicines, side by side
Certolizumab vs golimumab
Certolizumab and golimumab are both labeled for crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of certolizumab since 2008 and of golimumab since 2009. Pharmacies paid $6,094.02 per syringe (Cimzia 2x200 mg/mL syringe kit) and $12,890.32 per mL (Simponi 50 mg/0.5 mL pen injec) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Certolizumab, “Certolizumab pegol binds to human TNFα with a KD of 90pM.”; 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 certolizumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 24, 2026); the golimumab FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025).
Highlights of the certolizumab record
Certolizumab (Cimzia) · label of February 24, 2026
SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with CIMZIA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. CIMZIA should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCIMZIA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for: Reducing signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy ( 1.1 ) Treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis ( 1.2 ) Treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in patients 2 years of age and older ( 1.3 ) Treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 22, 2008
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $6,094.02 per syringe
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 (Certolizumab label of February 24, 2026, Golimumab label of September 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do certolizumab and golimumab differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Certolizumab, “Certolizumab pegol binds to human TNFα with a KD of 90pM.”; 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: Certolizumab, “The terminal elimination phase half-life (t 1/2 ) was approximately 14 days for all doses tested.”; 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.
| Certolizumab | 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) | Certolizumab pegol binds to human TNFα with a KD of 90pM. TNFα is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine with a central role in inflammatory processes. | Golimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to both the soluble and transmembrane bioactive forms of human TNFα. |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal elimination phase half-life (t 1/2 ) was approximately 14 days for all doses tested. | 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) | April 22, 2008 | 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) | $6,094.02 per syringe (Cimzia 2x200 mg/mL syringe kit) | $12,890.32 per mL (Simponi 50 mg/0.5 mL pen injec) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | +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) | 116,513 | 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 certolizumab
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions