
Support
Frequently Asked Questions
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SIMPONI® is the first once-monthly self-injectable anti-TNF therapy for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with the medicine methotrexate; active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), alone or with the medicine methotrexate; or active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). SIMPONI® is given by self-injection. Once you and your doctor are comfortable with the self-injection process, you will inject SIMPONI® once a month under the skin. Just one dose monthly works to relieve the signs and symptoms of RA, PsA, and AS. Results may not be the same for everyone. You may continue to use other medications that help treat your condition while taking SIMPONI®, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prescription steroids, as recommended by your doctor.
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Only your doctor can decide if SIMPONI® is right for you. SIMPONI® can cause serious side effects. Please read the Medication Guide for SIMPONI® and discuss any symptoms or questions with your doctor.
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What should I know about serious side effects?
SIMPONI® is not for everyone; only your doctor can decide if SIMPONI® is right for you. SIMPONI® (golimumab) can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious and sometimes fatal events may occur. There have been reports of serious infections including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that have spread throughout the body. Other possible serious side effects may include lymphoma or other cancers, hepatitis B, heart failure, nervous system problems, or allergic reactions. To learn more about these and other risks, please read the Important Safety Information for SIMPONI® and the Medication Guide and talk with your doctor.
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What are the common side effects?
The common side effects of treatment with SIMPONI® include:
- upper respiratory tract infection
- nausea
- abnormal liver tests
- skin reaction at the site of injection
- high blood pressure
- flu
- cold sores
To learn more about these and other risks, please read the Important Safety Information for SIMPONI® and the Medication Guide and talk with your doctor.
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What should I expect from my injection?
SIMPONI® is given as an injection under the skin. Not everyone treated with SIMPONI® reacts the same way to their injections. More than 2,200 people have participated in clinical trials:
- 6 out of 100 participants treated with SIMPONI® experienced an injection-site reaction, compared to 2 out of 100 who received an inactive substance
- 3 out of 100 people treated with SIMPONI® experienced redness at the site of injection, compared to 1 out of 100 who received an inactive substance
- Less than 1 out of 100 people treated experienced injection site pain
To learn more about these and other risks, please read the Important Safety Information for SIMPONI® and the Medication Guide and talk with your doctor.
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SIMPONI® is given as an injection under the skin. After you are trained by your healthcare provider, you can take SIMPONI® by giving yourself an injection with the SmartJect® autoinjector or a prefilled syringe. Just one dose monthly works to relieve the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Results may not be the same for everyone. Please refer to the Medication Guide, including Instructions for Use, for more information on the right way to inject SIMPONI®.
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SIMPONI® is the first once-monthly self-injectable anti-TNF therapy for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with the medicine methotrexate; active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), alone or with the medicine methotrexate; and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methotrexate is taken as directed.
This means you need to take only 12 injections of SIMPONI® a year, fewer than the 26 or even 52 injections you’d need if you were taking another anti-TNF medication. While dosing frequency is important, there are other factors to consider. Ask your doctor if SIMPONI® is right for you.
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What if I miss a dose of SIMPONI®?
Use SIMPONI® exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not miss any doses of SIMPONI®. If you forget to use SIMPONI®, inject your dose as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. In case you’re not sure when to inject SIMPONI®, call your doctor or pharmacist.
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Can I take SIMPONI® if I am taking other medications?
You may continue to use other medications that help treat your condition while taking SIMPONI®, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prescription steroids, as recommended by your doctor.
Be sure to let your doctor know about all the medications you are taking before starting SIMPONI®, or if you are scheduled to or recently received a vaccine. People taking SIMPONI® should not receive live vaccines. Use of SIMPONI® with Orencia®* (abatacept), or Kineret®* (anakinra) is not recommended, due to an increased risk of serious infections. A higher rate of serious infections has also been observed in RA in people treated with Rituxan®* (rituximab) who received subsequent treatment with a TNF blocker. SIMPONI® should not be used along with another TNF-blocker medicine.
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SimponiOne® will forward your prescription to a specialty pharmacy based on your insurance coverage. The specialty pharmacy will call you about your insurance coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs, and to arrange delivery of your medication. Your doctor may want your medication shipped to the doctor’s office for your first treatment. If authorized by your doctor, you may have your medication shipped directly to your home or other location so you can self-inject.
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Why does SimponiOne® use specialty pharmacies?
Biologic medications such as SIMPONI® require special handling, and specialty pharmacies have experience in managing these kinds of medications. Specialty pharmacies offer you important benefits, including registered nurses and pharmacists who can answer questions about SIMPONI® and self-injection.
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When you receive your monthly dose of SIMPONI®, immediately place it in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until you’re ready to use it. Do not freeze or shake SIMPONI®. Keep it in the carton when not being used to protect it from light.
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After self-injecting with SIMPONI®, it’s important to properly dispose of your used SmartJectTM autoinjector or used prefilled syringe. People being treated with SIMPONI® can enroll in SimponiOne® Safe ReturnsTM, a unique monthly service that allows you to easily and properly dispose of your used SmartJect® autoinjectors or used prefilled syringes right after you use them. Follow the instructions in the Safe ReturnsTM pack. When your Safe ReturnsTM mail-back box is received for disposal, a new pack will be sent to you in time for your next injection. To sign up for SimponiOne® Safe ReturnsTM, call 877-MY SIMPONI (877-697-4676), or sign up on this Website here. You can also use a sharps container, a hard plastic container (such as a detergent bottle), or a metal container (such as an empty coffee can). Ask your doctor for the right way to dispose of the container. Do not recycle or place the used autoinjector or used prefilled syringe in the household trash. Please refer to the Medication Guide, including Instructions for Use, for more information on proper disposal of your used SmartJect® autoinjector or used prefilled syringe.
Is SIMPONI® covered by insurance?
SIMPONI® is covered by most insurance plans, including commercial insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid. Coverage policies may vary by insurer or even between plans offered by the same insurer. If you have any questions about insurance coverage or reimbursement, you should first call your insurance company or Medicare. If you need additional information about insurance coverage or financial assistance for SIMPONI®, please call SimponiOne® at 877-MY SIMPONI (877-697-4676), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM Eastern Time.
Does SIMPONI® offer financial assistance?
SimponiOne® Support can help explain your insurance benefits, coverage, or out-of-pocket expenses, and provide counseling regarding your eligibility for SimponiOne® Cost Support, or help you identify other sources of financial support. If you’re eligible for SimponiOne® Cost Support, you’ll receive a full year of instant savings on your private insurance co-pay, deductible, and co-insurance medication costs for SIMPONI®. To find out about SimponiOne® Cost Support eligibility, requirements, and restrictions, call 877-MY SIMPONI (877-697-4676), or click here to learn more.
SimponiOne® Support is a single source of support for people being treated with SIMPONI®. It offers a full range of services to help you manage your condition, including help with understanding your insurance benefits, support information on out-of-pocket costs, nurse support to help answer injection questions, and Safe ReturnsTM to help you properly dispose of your used SmartJect® autoinjectors or used prefilled syringes right after you use them. Sign up for SimponiOne® Support by calling 877-MY SIMPONI (877-697-4676), or click here.
How often will SimponiOne® contact me?
SimponiOne® will call to tell you that your prescription is being handled and to offer you support services. Someone from a specialty pharmacy will also call you before each of your scheduled treatments to explain your insurance benefits and what you will pay, and to arrange for shipment of your medication. If you ask for our treatment reminder service, we’ll also call you before each of your treatment dates.
What if I don’t want SimponiOne® to call me anymore?
Just call us at 877-MY SIMPONI (877-697-4676) and request to opt out of communications from SimponiOne®.
Please read the Important Safety Information for SIMPONI® and the Medication Guide below and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
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