golimumab vs methotrexate
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Side-by-side comparison of golimumab and methotrexate. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7.1 Methotrexate SIMPONI ARIA should be used with MTX for the treatment of RA [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Following IV administration, concomitant administration of methotrexate decreases the clearance of SIMPONI ARIA by approximately 9% based on population pharmacokinetics (PK) analysis. In addition, concomitant administration of methotrexate decreases the SIMPONI ARIA clearance by reducing the development of antibodies to golimumab.
Simponi
Trexall, Otrexup
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.
Methotrexate is a drug that can treat certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other conditions. It works by slowing the growth of cells in the body.
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.
Methotrexate can treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer, in adults and children. It also treats mycosis fungoides, a skin lymphoma, in adults. Additionally, it treats relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults. For non-cancer conditions, it treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children, and severe psoriasis in adults.
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.
Methotrexate blocks an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase. This enzyme is needed for cells to grow and multiply. By blocking this enzyme, methotrexate slows down the growth of cells, especially cancer cells and cells that cause inflammation in arthritis and psoriasis.
- • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
- • Increased liver enzymes
- • Viral infection
- • Decreased neutrophil count (a type of white blood cell)
- • Bronchitis
- • Mouth sores
- • Nausea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Changes in liver tests
- Rheumatoid Arthritis 14,100
- Pain 13,403
- Fatigue 11,277
- Joint Swelling 9,729
- Arthralgia 9,679
- Rheumatoid Arthritis 38,053
- Arthralgia 36,283
- Pain 35,413
- Fatigue 29,061
- Nausea 24,009
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.
Methotrexate can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, including death. If you are pregnant, you should not take this medicine for non-cancer conditions. If you are taking it for cancer, talk to your doctor about the risks. This medicine can also cause severe allergic reactions and other serious side effects that can be life-threatening. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of infection, lung problems, or kidney problems.
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.
Methotrexate can cause birth defects or fetal death if taken during pregnancy for non-cancer conditions. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Do not breastfeed while taking methotrexate, as it can pass into breast milk and harm your baby.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
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How to Read This golimumab vs methotrexate Comparison
golimumab is classified in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) drug class, while methotrexate sits within the Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. 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 58,188 submissions while methotrexate has 162,819. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to methotrexate makes golimumab last longer in your body by slowing its removal and stopping your immune system from attacking the drug.. 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 golimumab or methotrexate.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.