Does Cimzia (certolizumab) make you gain weight?
Does Cimzia (certolizumab) cause gain weight or weight loss?
- No, in clinical trials Cimzia did not show weight gain or weight loss as a general side effect.
Sometimes weight gain or weight loss may be a symptom of a more serious side effect such as heart failure or serious infection, so it is important to watch for any weight changes. If you have any signs of heart failure or serious infection you should call your doctor immediately.
Weight Gain
If you are on Cimzia and have sudden weight gain, along with swollen ankles or feet with shortness of breath, it could be due to fluid retention from heart failure. This can be a serious side effect of Cimzia so it is important to contact your doctor immediately.
Weight Loss
If you have weight loss, this can be a sign of a serious infection, which is a side effect of Cimzia. You should call your doctor immediately if you have weight loss or any of these symptoms:
- fever, sweat, or chills
- muscle aches
- blood in phlegm
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal
- feeling very tired.
Cimzia can lower your immune system's ability to fight infections which means any infection may become more severe or serious and could result in hospitalization or death.
Bottom line:
Although Cimzia did not cause weight gain or weight loss as a general side effect, if you do have unexpected changes to your weight while being treated with Cimzia it is important to discuss this with your health professional.
For more information on Cimzia side effects click here: Cimzia Side Effects
References
- Cytokines, Inflammation and Pain: [Accessed October 21, 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2785020/
- Long‐term safety of certolizumab pegol in plaque psoriasis: pooled analysis over 3 years from three phase III, randomized, placebo‐controlled studies: [Accessed October 21, 2022]
- FDA Cimzia Prescribing Information: [Accessed October 21, 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/125160s293lbl.pdf
Read next
How long does Cimzia take to work?
Cimzia injection can work as fast as 1 or 2 weeks in some people for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Its full effectiveness can range from 4 months to 1 year based on your specific medical condition. Continue reading
What's the difference between Cimzia and Humira?
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Humira (adalimumab) are two different medicines but they are from the same class of medications called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors or blockers. Both medicines are approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, but Humira also treats several other autoimmune inflammatory diseases as well. For some diseases, Humira is safe for children, while Cimzia is only indicated for adults. Continue reading
Can Cimzia cause skin problems?
Cimzia [package insert]. Updated January 2023. UCB, Inc. Accessed August 1, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b4c2c9dc-a0bb-4d64-a667-a67ebe88392d
Gawdzik, A., et. al. 2020. Paradoxical Skin Reaction to Certolizumab, an Overlap of Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Psoriasis in a Young Woman Treated for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Case Report with Literature Review. In: Dermatology and Therapy. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs13555-020-00398-4 Continue reading
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Drug information
- Cimzia Information for Consumers
- Cimzia prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Cimzia (detailed)
Related support groups
- Cimzia (9 questions, 44 members)
- Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) (759 questions, 1,488 members)