Newly-Approved Cimzia(R) Provides Rapid, Sustained Response in Crohn'...(is in whom an adequate courseof treatmen...),Health

Serious infections, sepsis, and cases of opportunistic infections, including fatalities, have been reported in patients receiving TNF blockers, including Cimzia(R). Infections have been reported in patients receiving Cimzia(R) alone or in conjunction with immunosuppressive agents. Do not initiate treatment with Cimzia(R) in patients with active infections, including chronic or localized infections. Patients who develop a new infection while undergoing treatment with Cimzia(R) should be monitored closely. Discontinue administration of Cimzia(R) if a patient develops a serious infection. Exercise caution when considering the use of Cimzia(R) in patients with a history of recurrent infection, concomitant immunosuppressive therapy, or underlying conditions that may predispose them to infections, or patients who have resided in regions where tuberculosis and histoplasmosis are endemic.

Use of TNF blockers, including Cimzia(R), may increase the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic carriers of this virus. Some cases have been fatal. Evaluate patients at risk for HBV infection for prior evidence of HBV infection before initiating Cimzia(R) therapy. Exercise caution in prescribing Cimzia(R) for patients identified as carriers of HBV. Patients who are carriers of HBV and require treatment with Cimzia(R) should be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory signs of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy. In patients who develop HBV reactivation, discontinue Cimzia(R) and initiate effective anti-viral therapy with appropriate supportive treatment.

During controlled and open-labeled portions of Cimzia(R) studies of Crohn's disease and other investigational uses, malignancies were observed at a rate (95% confidence interval) of 0.6 (0.4, 0.8) per 100 patient-years among 4,650 Cimzia(R)-treated patie
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