certolizumab
Brand names: Cimzia
Cimzia is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF. It helps reduce inflammation and other symptoms of certain diseases.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$5525.40/unit
Generic Available
No
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cimzia treats Crohn's disease by easing symptoms.
Common side effects
Upper respiratory infection, Rash, Urinary tract infection
Key warnings
Cimzia can make you more likely to get serious infections that could lead to death.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Cimzia is given as a shot under the skin. Your doctor will tell you how much to inject and how often. You may get your first doses at weeks 0, 2, and 4. After that, you may get a shot every 2 or 4 weeks.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Cimzia, inject it as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose at your regular scheduled time.
Storage
Keep Cimzia in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in its original carton to protect it from light. Do not freeze or shake Cimzia.
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.3 ) 7.1 Use with Anakinra, Abatacept, Rituximab, and Natalizumab An increased risk of serious infections has been seen in clinical studies of other TNF-blocking agents used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added benefit. Therefore, the use of CIMZIA in combination with anakinra, abatacept, rituximab, or natalizumab is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .
Mechanism: Both of these medicines weaken the immune system to treat inflammation, so taking them together makes it much harder for your body to fight off serious infections.
What to do: This combination is not recommended and should be avoided because it increases the risk of infection without providing extra benefits.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before taking Cimzia?
Can Cimzia cause allergic reactions?
Does Cimzia interact with other medications?
Can I get vaccines while taking Cimzia?
How long does it take for Cimzia to start working?
What if I have a history of tuberculosis (TB)?
Can Cimzia affect my blood?
What are the symptoms of a serious infection?
Can Cimzia cause heart failure?
Is it okay to take Cimzia with other biologic medications?
What are the common side effects of certolizumab?
Does certolizumab interact with other medications?
What drug class is certolizumab?
Is certolizumab safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic)
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What the FDA Data Shows for certolizumab
The FDA label for certolizumab (sold under brand names such as Cimzia) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the TNF-Alpha Inhibitor (Biologic) class. Cimzia treats Crohn's disease by easing symptoms. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Upper respiratory infection, Rash, Urinary tract infection.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 16, 2026
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages