| Arthritis, Psoriatic
Cimzia vs Acthar
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for arthritis, psoriatic.Deep comparison between: Cimzia vs Acthar with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsActhar has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Cimzia based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Acthar but not Cimzia, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Cimzia
Acthar
At A Glance
SC injection
Every 2-4 weeks
TNF-alpha inhibitor
IM or SC injection
Corticotropin analog
Indications
- Crohn Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Juvenile polyarthritis
- Arthritis, Psoriatic
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Infantile Spasm
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Arthritis, Psoriatic
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
- Dermatomyositis
- Polymyositis
- Erythema Multiforme
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Serum Sickness
- Keratitis
- Iritis
- Iridocyclitis
- Uveitis, Posterior
- Choroiditis
- Optic Neuritis
- Chorioretinitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Nephrotic Syndrome
Dosing
Crohn Disease 400 mg SC (two 200 mg injections) at Weeks 0, 2, and 4; maintenance 400 mg every 4 weeks.
Rheumatoid Arthritis 400 mg SC at Weeks 0, 2, and 4; then 200 mg every 2 weeks; alternatively, 400 mg every 4 weeks may be considered for maintenance.
Juvenile polyarthritis Weight-based SC dosing at Weeks 0, 2, and 4, then maintenance every 2 weeks: 100 mg loading / 50 mg maintenance (10 to <20 kg); 200 mg loading / 100 mg maintenance (20 to <40 kg); 400 mg loading / 200 mg maintenance (>=40 kg).
Arthritis, Psoriatic 400 mg SC at Weeks 0, 2, and 4; then 200 mg every 2 weeks; alternatively, 400 mg every 4 weeks may be considered for maintenance.
Ankylosing spondylitis, Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis 400 mg SC at Weeks 0, 2, and 4; then 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks.
Psoriasis vulgaris 400 mg SC every 2 weeks; for patients <=90 kg, 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2, and 4 followed by 200 mg every 2 weeks may be considered.
Infantile Spasm 150 U/m2/day IM divided into 75 U/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks, then taper over 2 weeks; Acthar Gel vial only -- do not use the pre-filled SelfJect injector.
Multiple Sclerosis 80-120 units IM or SC daily for 2-3 weeks for acute exacerbations; taper as needed.
Arthritis, Psoriatic, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Erythema Multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Serum Sickness, Keratitis, Iritis, Iridocyclitis, Uveitis, Posterior, Choroiditis, Optic Neuritis, Chorioretinitis, Sarcoidosis, Nephrotic Syndrome 40-80 units IM or SC every 24-72 hours; individualize dosing based on disease severity and patient response; taper dose upon discontinuation.
Contraindications
- History of hypersensitivity reaction to certolizumab pegol or any excipient (including angioedema, anaphylaxis, serum sickness, or urticaria)
- Intravenous administration
- Use in infants under 2 years of age with suspected congenital infections
- Concomitant live or live-attenuated vaccines during immunosuppressive doses of Acthar Gel
- Scleroderma
- Osteoporosis
- Systemic fungal infections
- Ocular herpes simplex
- Recent surgery
- History of or presence of peptic ulcer
- Congestive heart failure
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Primary adrenocortical insufficiency
- Adrenocortical hyperfunction
- Sensitivity to proteins of porcine origin
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=8%) Upper respiratory infections (18%), rash (9%), urinary tract infections (8%)
Serious Serious infections, malignancies, heart failure, hypersensitivity reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation, neurologic reactions, hematologic reactions, autoimmunity, immunosuppression
Postmarketing Systemic vasculitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, new or worsening psoriasis (all subtypes), lichenoid skin reaction, sarcoidosis, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma
Most common (>=5%) Infections, convulsions, hypertension, irritability, pyrexia (reported in infantile spasm trials at recommended dose)
Serious Cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency upon withdrawal, elevated blood pressure, salt and water retention, hypokalemia, gastrointestinal perforation and bleeding, behavioral and mood disturbances, ophthalmic effects, decreased bone density, negative effects on growth and physical development
Postmarketing Anaphylaxis, necrotizing angitis, pancreatitis, intracranial hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, reversible brain shrinkage, vertebral compression fractures, insomnia, injection site reactions
Pharmacology
Certolizumab pegol is a PEGylated Fab' fragment of a humanized anti-TNF-alpha antibody that selectively neutralizes soluble and membrane-associated human TNF-alpha, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine; it lacks an Fc region and therefore does not fix complement or cause antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro.
Repository corticotropin (ACTH) analog that stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and weak androgens; also reported to bind melanocortin receptors, with the trophic effects on the adrenal cortex appearing to be mediated by cyclic AMP.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Cimzia
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
Acthar
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Cimzia
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (7/8) · Step Therapy (6/8) · Qty limit (7/8)
Acthar
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (1/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Cimzia
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Acthar
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Cimzia.
No savings programs available for Acthar.
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CimziaView full Cimzia profile
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.