Information in this article is for educational purposes only. This article reflects personal experiences and is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. This article is not sponsored and you should consult with your medical professional about any information related to your medications.
Biologics are drugs derived from natural resources and manufactured by various biotechnology methods. They can benefit patients with rheumatologic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, malignant conditions, etc., by halting disease progression, alleviating symptoms, and improving quality of life. Biologics are one of the top-selling drugs worldwide. Still, the high cost of this drug is a major drawback, so it remains unaffordable and inaccessible to many patients. 1
Biosimilars are non-innovator or copy products of the original biologic drug. More notably, they are cheaper. The development of biosimilars allows for broader and necessary access to these medicines because of their lower cost and hence greater affordability. This improves cost-efficacy ratios and access to these drugs. India is one of the leading manufacturers of similar biologics. 1
Exemptia is a biosimilar of Adalimumab which often goes by the original brand name - Humira. Exemptia is a TNF inhibitor and anti-inflammatory drug manufactured and promoted by Zydus Cadila, in India. The dosage depends on the severity of the case.
I was prescribed Exemptia in 2016 when I was 16 years old. My first year with Crohn’s I was put on multiple medications, but none of them seemed to work for more than one month. Finally, after a year I was put on steroids (Budesonide). These came with their own set of issues but were able to manage symptoms for a while. Soon my body stopped responding to the steroids as well. The doctors and nurses had been extremely supportive and helpful but I was getting exhausted by the frequency of my hospitalization. I had missed 3 years of high school already and was wondering whether my life would ever go back to normal. The next step was either surgery or biologics. After a long discussion with the doctors and extensive pros and cons lists, my parents and I decided to give biologics a chance. That was the best decision we made, I was lucky enough to experience remission thanks to this medication.
Exemptia was relatively new at that time, having been released only a few years prior. Before starting the medicine, it was made sure all my vaccinations were up to date. CT scans & blood tests were done to eliminate the possibility of having any viruses or infectious diseases like TB. The first dose was 80 milligrams, and this was followed by 40 milligrams every two weeks. I have been on this medication on and off for six years. While hospitalizations were frequent during the first few years of starting this medicine, they have significantly reduced now. One of the biggest benefits I saw from this medication was that it brought normalcy back into my life.
I am now an undergraduate student and it's very important for me to stay on top of college deadlines, my biosimilar helps me achieve that. The administration of the injection is relatively easy as well since it's a subcutaneous injection or an injection under the skin. My recommendation would be to get a friend or family member to help because it does hurt while the medicine is entering the body. However, I have been lucky enough to not experience any side effects right after the administration of the injection like fatigue or soreness. Like any other medicine, there is a downside to this too, including recurrent infections and problematic storage conditions of the injection. The injection should always be kept at a temperature between 2-8 Centigrade (35-46 degrees Fahrenheit), which is rather challenging to do while traveling or living away from home. However, overall my experience with this medicine has been very positive despite its drawbacks.
Resource
Meher BR, Balan S, Mohanty RR, Jena M, Das S. Biosimilars in India; current status and future perspectives. Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences. 2019; 11(1): 12-15.
This article was written by Varada Srivastava from India.
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