Alerts about drug supply changes and other information are posted here as appropriate.
Medication Quick Guides - Members Only
Administration of In-Office Biologics and Other Rheumatic Agents
The following guides were developed to assist registered nurses (RNs) and other health professionals new to rheumatology or those in need of basic information about each of the listed agents. The information has been obtained from the manufacturer's Full Prescribing Information document for each agent as well as the ACR Model Biologics Policy.
Patient Assistance Programs for Rheumatology Related Drugs are also available.
Click each title for full details:
Updated April 2012
Medication Quick Guides
Biologics
- Abatacept (Orencia) is a soluble fusion protein that consists of the extracellular domain of human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) linked to the modified Fc (hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains) portion of human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1).
- Certolizumab Pegol (Cimzia) is a recombinant, humanized antibody to Fab' fragment, with specificity for human TNF-α, conjugated to an approximately 40kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG2MAL40K).
- Infliximab (Remicade) is a chimeric (part mouse, part human) monoclonal antibody that blocks activity of a key biologic response mediator called "tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha".
- Rituximab (Rituxan) is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal AgG, kappa antibody directed against the CD20 antigen.
- Tocilizumab (Actemra) is a recombinant humanized anti-human interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin IgG1κ subclass with a typical H2L2 polypeptide structure.
Bisphosphonates
- Ibandronate Sodium (Boniva) is a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
- Zoledronic Acid (Reclast) is a bisphosphonate and acts primarily on bone. It is an inhibitor of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
