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golimumab vs infliximab

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

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

infliximab

Inflectra is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It is used to treat autoimmune diseases and reduce inflammation.

What It Treats
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.

infliximab

Inflectra treats Crohn's disease in adults and children (6+). It helps reduce symptoms and keep the disease under control. It also treats ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.

How It Works
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.

infliximab

Inflectra blocks a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF can cause inflammation and damage in autoimmune diseases. By blocking TNF, Inflectra can reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

Common Side Effects
golimumab
  • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Viral infection
  • Decreased neutrophil count (a type of white blood cell)
  • Bronchitis
infliximab
  • Infections (like colds, sinus infections, and sore throat)
  • Infusion-related reactions
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
FAERS Reports
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
infliximab
  • The medicine is not working 38,909
  • Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 36,963
  • Reaction during or shortly after the infusion 18,647
  • Condition got worse 18,302
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 18,137
Serious Warnings
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.

infliximab

Inflectra can increase your risk of serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Tell your doctor if you have any infection symptoms. You should be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before starting Inflectra. Some people, especially children and young adults, have developed cancers like lymphoma while taking TNF blockers. Some of these cancers have been fatal.

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.

infliximab

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Inflectra can pass to your baby during pregnancy, mainly in the third trimester. Live vaccines are not recommended for at least 6 months after birth for babies exposed to Inflectra in the womb.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This golimumab vs infliximab Comparison

golimumab is classified in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) drug class, while infliximab 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, golimumab has 69,835 submissions while infliximab has 130,958. 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 golimumab and infliximab — 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.