certolizumab vs golimumab
Side-by-side comparison of certolizumab and golimumab Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Cimzia
Simponi
Cimzia is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It helps reduce inflammation and other symptoms of certain diseases.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Rash
- • Urinary tract infection
- • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
- • Increased liver enzymes
- • Viral infection
- • Decreased neutrophil count (a type of white blood cell)
- • Bronchitis
No adverse event reports.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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How to Read This certolizumab vs golimumab Comparison
certolizumab 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, certolizumab has 0 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 certolizumab 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.