Certolizumab Pegol

The Basics

What is Certolizumab Pegol?

Used to reduce pain and swelling due to inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis.

Brand names for Certolizumab Pegol

Cimzia

How Certolizumab Pegol is classified

Antibodies – Monoclonal, Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments, Antirheumatic Agents, Gastrointestinal Agents

Certolizumab Pegol During Pregnancy

Certolizumab Pegol pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Certolizumab Pegol while pregnant

Limited data from the ongoing pregnancy registry on use of CIMZIA in pregnant women are not, sufficient to inform a risk of major birth defects or other adverse pregnancy outcomes. However,, certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations obtained from two studies of CIMZIA use during the third, trimester of pregnancy demonstrated that placental transfer of certolizumab pegol was negligible in most, infants at birth, and low in other infants at birth (see Data). There are risks to the mother and fetus, associated with active rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease. The theoretical risks of administration of, live or live-attenuated vaccines to the infants exposed in utero to CIMZIA should be weighed against the, benefits of vaccinations (see Clinical Considerations). No adverse developmental effects were observed, in animal reproduction studies during which pregnant rats were administered intravenously a rodent antimurine TNF pegylated Fab’ fragment (cTN3 PF) similar to certolizumab pegol during organogenesis at, up to 2.4 times the recommended human dose of 400 mg every four weeks., The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated, population(s) are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse, outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and, miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to CIMZIA during pregnancy. For more information, healthcare providers or patients can contact: MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies conducted by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS). The OTIS AutoImmune Diseases Study at 1-877-311-8972 or visit http://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-studies/ Risk Summary Limited data from the ongoing pregnancy registry on use of CIMZIA in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a risk of major birth defects or other adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations obtained from two studies of CIMZIA use during the third trimester of pregnancy demonstrated that placental transfer of certolizumab pegol was negligible in most infants at birth, and low in other infants at birth (see Data). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with active rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn‚Äôs disease. The theoretical risks of administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines to the infants exposed in utero to CIMZIA should be weighed against the benefits of vaccinations (see Clinical Considerations). No adverse developmental effects were observed in animal reproduction studies during which pregnant rats were administered intravenously a rodent antimurine TNFŒ± pegylated Fab’ fragment (cTN3 PF) similar to certolizumab pegol during organogenesis at up to 2.4 times the recommended human dose of 400 mg every four weeks. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Published data suggest that the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn‚Äôs disease is correlated with maternal disease activity and that active disease increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal loss, preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (less than 2500 g) and small for gestational age birth. Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Due to its inhibition of TNFŒ±, CIMZIA administered during pregnancy could affect immune responses in the in utero-exposed newborn and infant. The clinical significance of BLQ or low levels is unknown for in utero-exposed infants. Additional data available from one exposed infant suggest that CIMZIA may be eliminated at a slower rate in infants than in adults (see Data). The safety of administering live or live-attenuated vaccines in exposed infants is unknown. Data Human Data A limited number of pregnancies have been reported in the ongoing pregnancy exposure registry. Due to the small number of CIMZIA-exposed pregnancies with known outcomes (n=54), no meaningful comparisons between the exposed group and control groups may be conducted to determine an association with CIMZIA and major birth defects or adverse pregnancy outcomes. A multicenter clinical study was conducted in 16 women treated with CIMZIA at a maintenance dose of 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks during the third trimester of pregnancy for rheumatological diseases or Crohn‚Äôs disease. The last dose of CIMZIA was given on average 11 days prior to delivery (range 1 to 27 days). Certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations were measured in samples from mothers and infants using an assay that can measure certolizumab pegol concentrations at or above 0.032 mcg/mL. Certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations measured in the mothers at delivery (range: 4.96 to 49.4 mcg/mL) were consistent with non-pregnant women‚Äôs plasma concentrations in Study RA-I [see Clinical Studies]. Certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations were not measurable in 13 out of 15 infants at birth. The concentration of certolizumab pegol in one infant was 0.0422 mcg/mL at birth (infant/mother plasma ratio of 0.09%). In a second infant, delivered by emergency Caesarean section, the concentration was 0.485 mcg/mL (infant/mother plasma ratio of 4.49%). At Week 4 and Week 8, all 15 infants had no measurable concentrations. Among 16 exposed infants, one serious adverse reaction was reported in a neonate who was treated empirically with intravenous antibiotics due to an increased white blood cell count; blood cultures were negative. The certolizumab pegol plasma concentrations for this infant were not measurable at birth, Week 4, or Week 8. In another clinical study conducted in 10 pregnant women with Crohn¬¥s disease treated with CIMZIA (400 mg every 4 weeks for every mother), certolizumab pegol concentrations were measured in maternal blood as well as in cord and infant blood at the day of birth with an assay that can measure concentrations at or above 0.41 mcg/mL. The last dose of CIMZIA was given on average 19 days prior to delivery (range 5 to 42 days). Plasma certolizumab pegol concentrations ranged from not measurable to 1.66 mcg/mL in cord blood and 1.58 mcg/mL in infant blood; and ranged from 1.87 to 59.57 mcg/mL in maternal blood. Plasma certolizumab pegol concentrations were lower (by at least 75%) in the infants than in mothers suggesting low placental transfer of certolizumab pegol. In one infant, the plasma certolizumab pegol concentration declined from 1.02 to 0.84 mcg/mL over 4 weeks suggesting that certolizumab pegol may be eliminated at a slower rate in infants than adults. Animal Data Because certolizumab pegol does not cross-react with mouse or rat TNFŒ±, reproduction studies were performed in rats using a rodent anti-murine TNFŒ± pegylated Fab’ fragment (cTN3 PF) similar to certolizumab pegol. Animal reproduction studies have been performed in rats during organogenesis at intravenous doses up to 100 mg/kg (about 2.4 times the recommended human dose of 400 mg, based on the surface area) and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to cTN3 PF.

Taking Certolizumab Pegol While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Certolizumab Pegol?

Certolizumab is excreted into breastmilk in some, but not all, women in small amounts. Absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Most experts consider certolizumab to be probably safe during breastfeeding.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The European Medicines Agency has deemed certolizumab pegol acceptable to use during breastfeeding.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Certolizumab is excreted into breastmilk in some, but not all, women in small amounts. Absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Most experts consider certolizumab to be probably safe during breastfeeding.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The European Medicines Agency has deemed certolizumab pegol acceptable to use during breastfeeding.

Possible effects of Certolizumab Pegol on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Certolizumab Pegol

(Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Adalimumab, Infliximab; (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Adalimumab, Etanercept, Infliximab.