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Taking Control of Crohn’s Disease: Understanding Biologics

If you’re living with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease, you know how debilitating the symptoms can be. But there is hope. Biologics, a type of targeted treatment, can help manage symptoms and achieve remission.

What Are Biologics?

Biologics are medications that target specific proteins in your immune system, stopping the inflammation that wreaks havoc on your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They’re designed to work only on the proteins that cause inflammation, leaving the rest of your body unaffected.

How Do Biologics Work for Crohn’s?

There are several groups of biologics, each targeting a different protein. The goal is to get your Crohn’s into remission and keep it there. For example, anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs block TNF-alpha, a protein that causes inflammation in your intestines and other parts of your body. This can lead to healing in your intestines and may even help you avoid surgery.

Types of Biologics

• Anti-TNF drugs: adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade)
• Integrin receptor antagonists: natalizumab (Tysabri), vedolizumab (Entyvio)
• Interleukin-12 and -23 antagonists: risankizumab (Skyrizi), ustekinumab (Stelara)

Taking Biologics

Biologics come in two forms: injections (shots) or infusions into a vein. Your doctor can teach you how to give yourself injections, and you can do them at home every 2-4 weeks. For infusions, you’ll need to visit a hospital or infusion center every 4-8 weeks.

Side Effects and Risks

While biologics are effective, they’re not without risks. Your doctor should discuss potential side effects with you, including:

• Reaction at the injection or infusion site
• Increased risk of infections
• Rare side effects like liver damage and lymphoma

Staying on Biologics

Once you’ve achieved remission, you may wonder if you can stop taking biologics. However, research shows that people who stop taking biologics are more likely to experience relapses. It’s essential to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor before making any changes.

Get Vaccinated First

Before starting biologics, make sure you’re up to date on all your vaccines, including:

• Chicken pox (if not taking immune-suppressing meds)
• COVID-19
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
• Flu
• Hepatitis B
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (if not on immune-suppressing meds)
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Shingles

What to Tell Your Doctor

Before starting biologics, have an open conversation with your doctor about:

• Possible side effects and what to do if you experience them
• Any medications or supplements you’re taking
• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant

The Bottom Line

Crohn’s disease can be overwhelming, but biologics offer a promising solution. By understanding how biologics work and what to expect, you can take control of your symptoms and start living the life you deserve.