Simponi (golimumab)-Risk of serious fungal infections associated with TNF blockers, including Simponi

Simponi (golimumab)

Audience: Rheumatological healthcare professionals

05/28/2009 - Centocor Ortho Biotech and FDA reminded healthcare professionals of the risk of serious fungal infections associated with TNF-αlpha blockers, including Simponi [golimumab]. FDA has reported that histoplasmosis and other invasive fungal infections are not consistently recognized in patients taking other TNF-αlpha blockers including Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab). This has resulted in delays in appropriate antifungal treatment, sometimes even resulting in death. It is important that all adverse events potentially associated with Simponi be reported so that the adverse event profile reported in the prescribing information can be updated appropriately as post-approval experience is gathered. Centocor encourages reporting adverse events to Centocor at 1-800-457-6399 or to the FDA MedWatch program at 1-800-332-1088.

Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety summary, including links to the Dear Healthcare Professional letter, Prescribing Information, Medication Guide and previous 2008 MedWatch alert, at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.
htm#Simponi