Biologics for rheumatoid arthritis: How they work Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are biologics for RA Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on July 19, 2022Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissues lining the joints. Biologics are designed to fight the immune cells that attack these healthy tissues. RA causes pain, swelling, and deformities in the joints. It can also cause flu-like symptoms, weight loss, and overall fatigue. For some people, the effects can be devastating and debilitating. An estimated one-fifth of people with RA are work-disabled within 2–3 years after developing the disease. Several classes of medications are available to treat RA, including biologic treatments. Although biologics do not help improve RA symptoms in every person, they do help approximately 60% of people living with RA. What are biologic treatments Share on PinterestAnna Efetova/Getty ImagesThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first biologic drug to treat RA in 1998. Since then, the FDA has approved eight similar drugs, as well as a newer synthetic drug. At their most basic level, biologics are proteins that scientists have genetically modified to make them target the immune system cells that attack healthy cells and cause RA symptoms. This can reduce the progression of joint damage from RA. This means that biologics are a targeted form of therapy. In this way, they are different from more traditional RA treatments, such as methotrexate (Rasuvo, Otrexup), which do not specifically target certain cell types. Biologics are not always the first line of treatment for RA. Many people with RA have problems in multiple cell types that cause symptoms, and biologics can target only one type of cell. A doctor can prescribe only one biologic medication at a time because combined biologics can seriously compromise the immune system. However, a doctor may combine a biologic with a traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). This can help the biologic medication stay effective longer and prevent the immune system from stopping its effect with neutralizing antibodies. A person may find that it takes time to discover the combination that works best for their unique symptoms. Who should use biologics Generally, doctors consider biologics a good treatment option for people who have severe RA symptoms. The American College of Rheumatology recommends that doctors prescribe biologics to people whose RA has not responded to other treatments in the way the doctor and patient have expected. However, certain people should avoid biologics, such as the following:a person who has or recently had an active infectiona person who has an active disease or condition such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C, cancer, diabetes, or heart problems — however, a person who has been treated for TB or hepatitis C may be able to restart treatment after the infection clears, and a person with hepatitis B can receive treatment to suppress the disease and may be able to take biologics under their doctor’s supervisiona person who received a live vaccine less than 3 months before the planned start of treatmenta person who is sensitive to latex or rubber — unless they take a latex-free biologic If a person lives in an area with a higher risk of fungal infections, a doctor will need to monitor them while they are taking biologics, as they are more at risk of contracting the infection. A person who is pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or is breastfeeding or chestfeeding should also speak with their doctor about whether biologics are safe for them and their baby. Available biologics for rheumatoid arthritis This chart lists the biologic medications available to treat rheumatoid arthritis, along with their recommended dosage. The next section goes into more detail about the different types of biologics.NameDoseAdalimumab (Humira)40-milligram (mg) injection every 2 weeksCertolizumab (Cimzia)200 mg injection every 2 weeksEtanercept (Enbrel)50 mg injection every week or 25 mg injection twice per weekGolimumab (Simponi, Simponi Aria)50 mg injection once per monthInfliximab (Remicade)3 10 mg/kg through an IV every 4–8 weeksTocilizumab (Actemra)162 mg injection every week or every 2 weeks, depending on a person’s weight, or 8 mg/kg through an IV every monthSarilumab (Kevzara)150–200 mg injection every 2 weeksRituximab (Rituxan)2-course IV dose of 500–1,000 mg that repeats after 6 monthsAbatacept (Orencia)125 mg injection every week or 500–1,000 mg IV infusion every monthAnakinra (Kineret)100 mg daily injection Types of biologic treatments Doctors categorize biologic treatments according to which cells they target. Categories of biologic treatments include: B cell inhibitors Example drug: Rituximab (Rituxan) How they work: B cell inhibitors work by killing B lymphocytes that can cause inflammation. A healthcare professional must administer this medication intravenously (IV) for two sessions every 6 months. Each session lasts 4–6 hours. A person who receives B cell inhibitors via IV may be at risk for infection and transfusion reactions. Interleukin-1 blockers Example drug: Anakinra (Kineret) How they work: Interleukin-1 blockers, or IL-1 blockers, target interleukin-1, an inflammatory compound in the body. Doctors prescribe this drug less often than other biologics for RA. A person must self-inject IL-1 blockers once daily. Interleukin-6 inhibitors Example drugs: Sarilumab (Kevzara); tocilizumab (Actemra) How they work: These drugs prevent interleukin-6 proteins from attaching to cells and causing inflammation. Sarilumab is an injection that a person must receive every 2 weeks. A person can get tocilizumab via IV once or as an injection into the skin every week or every other week. T cell inhibitors Example drug: Abatacept (Orencia) How they work: These medications attach to the surface of T cells, which are white blood cells that cause inflammation. Doctors administer the medication by IV for 30 minutes every month. A person then transitions to getting infusions every 4 weeks. A person can also get an injection into the skin once a week. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors TNF-inhibitors Example drugs: Adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade) How they work: These medications work by stopping the tumor necrosis factor, which is responsible for the beginning stages of inflammation. Doctors prescribe these drugs more frequently because they have the longest history as a treatment for RA. A doctor delivers infliximab via IV. A person can self-inject the other medications. How does a person take biologic A person can take most biologic treatments either via IV infusion or by self-injection. It is impossible to make these medications into a pill because the molecules they contain are too large to pass well into the blood from the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, a method of delivery must place them directly into or very close to the blood. A doctor can discuss delivery methods as well as an infusion or injection schedule. Some biologic treatments work very quickly after administration. Others may need significantly more time to take effect. In general, it takes 3–6 weeks to see initial results and about 3 months for the full effect. Side effects of biologics The most common side effect of injectable or IV biologic treatments is infection. Administering biologics can irritate the skin’s tissues and introduce unwanted bacteria and viruses that can lead to infections. In addition, biologics affect immune system cells. As a result, a person’s immune system may not be able to protect against infections as effectively. Very rare side effects of biologic treatments include:demyelinating syndromes that damage nerve fibers, sometimes causing vision problemslupus-like syndrome developmenteffects on liver enzymesreactivation of hepatitis B in people with a history of hepatitis Bswelling of the hands and ankles, shortness of breath, or sudden onset of heart failure A doctor should discuss the potential risks of each treatment. Some biologics have a higher incidence of infection than others. Frequently asked questions The following are some answers to common questions about biologic treatments for RA. Are biosimilars the same as biologics Biosimilars are a new type of medication that is very similar to biologic medications. Unlike generic drugs, they are not exact copies, but doctors can prescribe them to treat RA with similar effectiveness. Learn more about biologics vs. biosimilars. How much do biologics cost Biologic drugs for RA are expensive. A person’s out-of-pocket cost may vary depending on the drug and their insurance coverage, but the estimated overall cost is $22,000–44,000 per person each year. What is the safest biologic for rheumatoid arthritis All biologics carry a risk of side effects such as infection. However, research has found that Abatacept carries a lower risk of serious infection than other biologics for RA. What are other treatments for rheumatoid arthritis DMARDs and JAK inhibitors are other types of medication for RA. Outlook Biologic treatments have helped many people with RA experience a reduction in symptoms and slow the progression of damage to affected joints. Over the past decade, the number of available biologic treatments has increased. Researchers are studying many potential medications that may help people with RA in the future. Healthcare experts refer to these medications as new biologics. Another promising field is personalized medicine, in which a doctor can use genetic biomarker tests to determine which biologics a person would best respond to. This can help a doctor make an individualized treatment plan. Last medically reviewed on July 19, 2022Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatologyMedically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on July 19, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageHow it works: Immune suppression and rheumatoid arthritisMedically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD This article explores why doctors use immune suppression to treat rheumatoid arthritis, types of medications used, and risks and considerations.READ MOREWhy does RA often occur in the joints of the hands?Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks the lining between the joints. Learn more here.READ MOREWhat to know about treating psoriatic arthritis with methotrexateMedically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA Methotrexate is an immunosupressant drug that can help to treat psoriatic arthritis. Read on to learn about how the drug works, and its potential side…READ MOREBiologics for psoriatic arthritis: Everything you need to knowMedically reviewed by Brenda B. Spriggs, M.D., MPH, FACP Here, learn how various biologics can help reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. We also describe the risks of these…READ MOREWhat types of biologics can treat psoriatic arthritis? An expert explains Pharmacist Dr. Alan Carter gives an overview of the biologic medications a person can use to treat psoriatic arthritis, including how they work, side…READ MORE