At my last rheumatology appointment, we discussed the inflectra not working as well as it did in the beginning of the treatment. I took a blood test to check to see if my body was making antibodies (it wasn’t) but my doctor decided to switch me to a different medication treatment. This one is a biosimilar to Humira (kind of like a generic version).
Humira is one of the big ones. I wrote about the different kinds of medications here. Humira is a TNF blocker like the one I was already doing. It takes 2-12 weeks to start working. It’s self-injectable instead of an infusion and it will be done every two weeks.
“91% of patients taking HUMIRA for PsA showed no further joint damage (as measured by an X-ray) after 24 weeks of treatment“
The prescription arrived in a box wrapped and with ice packs.
I want to share the cost with you because this is mind-blowing to me. For the “generic” version of Humira, these two injections are nearly $1600 without insurance (Humira brand is $7300 for two injections!!!). I am so so so happy that these Big Pharm companies spent billions of dollars to make medicines like this to help people but…the prices are just insane. I do not understand how anyone without insurance affords these treatments. And, even though it doesn’t apply to me right now, I am super happy that the Biden-Harris administration has made a bunch of medications cheaper for Medicare patients! Two on the list are for arthritis (Enbrel and Stelara).
I will add that there are a lot of different ways to get help with prescription costs. GoodRX app is helpful. The medication companies often have coupons for people to use. Check out more options here. Also, vote people into office that want to reduce prescription costs for Americans… 😉 Ok, off my soap box.
Back to the medication. With the infusions, I was told to take a Zyrtec and Tylenol right before my appointment. I wasn’t really given any advice or tips for this med, but from the arthritis forums, it was suggested:
- Take the medication out of the fridge for a few hours to warm up (cold injections can hurt)
- Stomach hurts less than the thigh
- Ice the spot before injecting
- Don’t inject in the same spot
- Take Benadryl (and call your doc) if there is swelling, itching or rash at the injection site
I’ve done two injections so far. The first one didn’t go great. I think it was a combo of user error (newbie) and the pen malfunctioned. I tried it on my leg and when I went to inject it the button kind of stuck and then it finally worked and there was a kickback and the needle popped out! Some of the medicine dripped down my leg so I wasn’t sure how much of it I actually got. I did have some bruising, a small welt and itching for about a day at the spot.
(Long story short, I spent an insane amount of time on the phone with the pharmaceutical company and they are sending me a new pen to replace the one that didn’t work.)
The second attempt was much better. I wiped the area with an alcohol wipe, let it dry and then injected it (it was much easier this time and no malfunctions). Waited for the window to show the yellow part instead of clear, counted to 10 and was done. It hurt for a second but it was probably more scary with the anticipation than painful. No reactions this time.
Now I just wait to see if it works…
Vickie
Humera has a great program available for people without insurance. (Many pharmaceutical companies do.)
There is also a 3 mos Humera gap card available for people with insurance. This offers protection when changing jobs, etc. (I do not know if other companies have this.)
If you are refrigerating meds, I have suggestions –
Consider getting a two piece refrigerator thermometer. One piece sits on the counter, the other goes in the refrigerator.
It is astonishing how much the temperature can fluctuate. I check the refrigerator temperature almost every time I walk through the kitchen. Very good habit.
We use the meat drawer for med storage. We put four water bottles in the back of the drawer, they help keep the temperature steady.
If we know we are going to impact the refrigerator temperature, putting away a few leftovers or cold groceries for example, we put 2-4 freezer packs on top the shelf that is directly above the meat drawer. This stabilizes the drawer temp.
If we are putting away a lot of room temperature stuff (several bags of apples, Thanksgiving leftovers) we put them on the porch for a couple hours first, to get them very cold.
I have also put things in a second smaller refrigerator to get them very cold during warmer months (like a big pack of water bottles).
Our second refrigerator does not work for med storage. Even filled with cold water bottles and never opened, the small refrigerator’s temp fluctuates greatly.
If your company does not provide sharps containers, you can use a liquid laundry soap container, tape it shut, label it, put it in your garbage.
Good luck. I know it is a lot at first. It gets easier.
Vickie
Lisa Eirene
Thank you Vickie! These are fantastic tips! Especially the sharps containers. What a good idea!