If you have a certain kind of autoimmune condition, your doctor might suggest Simponi or Simponi Aria as a treatment option for you.

Simponi and Simponi Aria are prescription drugs used to treat the following conditions in adults:

Simponi is also prescribed to treat the following condition in adults:

Simponi Aria is also prescribed to treat the following conditions in some children:

The active ingredient in Simponi and Simponi Aria is golimumab. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Golimumab is a biologic, which is a drug made from living cells. It’s part of a group of drugs called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Simponi is the same drug as Simponi Aria, but in a different form. You may give yourself Simponi as an injection under your skin. But a healthcare professional will give you Simponi Aria as an injection into a vein given over time.

This article describes the dosages of Simponi and Simponi Aria, as well as their strengths and how to use them. To learn more about Simponi and Simponi Aria, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Simponi’s and Simponi Aria’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drugs’ manufacturer. When injecting Simponi, follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes. If you’re receiving Simponi Aria, your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

In this section, you’ll learn about the usual dosages of Simponi and Simponi Aria.

What are the forms of Simponi and Simponi Aria?

Simponi comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose, prefilled syringe. Simponi also comes in an auto-injector pen called SmartJect. (This is a device that allows you to give yourself an injection with a simple push of a button.) With either form, you’ll give yourself this drug as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin).

Simponi Aria comes as a liquid solution in a vial. A healthcare professional will give you the drug as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time).

For more information, see the “How are Simponi and Simponi Aria used?” section below.

What strengths do Simponi and Simponi Aria come in?

Simponi comes in two strengths:

  • 50 milligrams (mg) in 0.5 milliliters (mL) of liquid solution (50 mg/0.5 mL)
  • 100 mg/1 mL

Simponi Aria comes in one strength:

  • 50 mg/4 mL

What are the usual dosages of Simponi and Simponi Aria?

The information below describes dosages of Simponi and Simponi Aria that are commonly prescribed or recommended for adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For information on the usual dosages for children, see the “What’s the dosage of Simponi and Simponi Aria for children?” section below.

Dosage for ulcerative colitis (UC)

Simponi: To treat UC, your starting dose will be 200 mg. For this dose, you may need either two or four injections of the drug. Then 2 weeks later, you’ll take your second dose, which will be 100 mg. After your second dose of Simponi, your dosing schedule will be 100 mg once every 4 weeks.

Simponi Aria: This drug isn’t prescribed to treat UC.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

For treating RA, you’ll take another medication called methotrexate together with Simponi or Simponi Aria.

Simponi: To treat RA, your dosage will be 50 mg once per month.

Simponi Aria: To treat RA, your doctor will calculate your dose based on your body weight in kilograms (kg).* You’ll receive 2 mg of Simponi Aria for each kg that you weigh. After your first dose, you’ll wait 4 weeks until your second dose. Then you’ll receive a dose every 8 weeks.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lbs.).

Dosage for psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

Simponi: To treat PsA, your dosage will be 50 mg once per month. Your doctor may also recommend that you take additional medications together with Simponi to treat your PsA. An example of a drug they may prescribe is methotrexate.

Simponi Aria: To treat PsA, your doctor will calculate your dose based on your body weight in kg. You’ll receive 2 mg of Simponi Aria for each kg that you weigh. After your first dose, you’ll wait 4 weeks until your second dose. Then you’ll receive a dose every 8 weeks.

For information on the usual dosage for treating PsA in children, see the “What’s the dosage of Simponi and Simponi Aria for children?” section below.

Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

Simponi: To treat AS, your dosage will be 50 mg once per month.

Simponi Aria: To treat AS, your doctor will calculate your dose based on your body weight in kg. You’ll receive 2 mg of Simponi Aria for each kg that you weigh. After your first dose, you’ll wait 4 weeks until your second dose. Then you’ll receive a dose every 8 weeks.

What’s the dosage of Simponi and Simponi Aria for children?

The information below describes dosages of Simponi Aria that are commonly prescribed or recommended for children. Simponi isn’t prescribed for children.

Dosage for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)

Simponi Aria can be prescribed to treat active pJIA in children ages 2 years and older. Active means to currently have symptoms.

Your child’s doctor will calculate the dose based on body surface area in meters squared (m2). They’ll use your child’s height and weight to figure this number out.

Your child will receive 80 mg of Simponi Aria for each m2 of their body surface area. After the first dose, they’ll wait 4 weeks until their second dose. Then they’ll receive a dose every 8 weeks.

Dosage for psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

Simponi Aria can also be prescribed to treat active PsA in children ages 2 years and older. Active means to currently have symptoms.

The Simponi Aria dosage for treating PsA in children is the same as it is for pJIA. See the section just above for details.

Are Simponi and Simponi Aria prescribed long term?

Yes, Simponi and Simponi Aria are usually prescribed as long-term treatments. If you and your doctor decide that Simponi or Simponi Aria is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.

Dosage adjustments

If you develop an infection, your doctor may temporarily stop Simponi or Simponi Aria treatment. If the infection is severe, your doctor may permanently stop your treatment with either drug.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Simponi and Simponi Aria in this section.

For treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), why is Simponi dosing more frequent than Simponi Aria dosing?

Studies looked at using Simponi in people with RA to find out the best dosage for treating this condition. Other studies looked at Simponi Aria’s dosages for RA.

Based on these studies, Simponi is given as a subcutaneous injection, and Simponi Aria is given as an IV infusion. Because you receive these drugs in different ways, your body breaks them down and absorbs them differently. So to treat RA effectively, Simponi injections need to be given more often than Simponi Aria infusions.

Your doctor will determine the best dose of Simponi or Simponi Aria to treat your condition.

What is a loading dose, and do Simponi and Simponi Aria require one?

A loading dose means that you take a higher dose at the beginning of treatment. This higher dose helps to manage symptoms more quickly.

Simponi and Simponi Aria both use a loading dose. But instead of the dose being higher, you take either drug more often in the beginning to get the same effect.

For more information about Simponi and Simponi Aria loading doses, talk with your doctor.

The dosage of Simponi or Simponi Aria you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the kind and severity of the condition you’re using Simponi or Simponi Aria to treat
  • your age
  • your weight
  • your height
  • whether you’re using Simponi or Simponi Aria
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What are Simponi’s and Simponi Aria’s dosages?”)

Simponi and Simponi Aria come in different forms, so how they’re used differs.

Simponi: You’ll receive this drug as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin). A healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself this injection. If you think an auto-injector might be easier to use than a prefilled syringe, ask your doctor whether SmartJect is a good treatment option for you.

You can inject Simponi in several places on your body: your front thigh, lower belly, or back of your upper arm. (It may be easier for another person to inject the drug into this location on your arm.) Learn more about how to inject Simponi on the manufacturer’s website.

Simponi Aria: You’ll receive this drug as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time). A healthcare professional will give you the infusion in hospital, doctor’s office, or infusion center, and it’ll usually take about 30 minutes.

For information on Simponi and Simponi Aria’s expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your Simponi packaging, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you miss a dose of Simponi, give yourself an injection of the drug as soon as you remember. You can continue your regular treatment schedule after that.

If you have trouble remembering to take your dose of Simponi, try using a medication reminder. This can include using a timer or setting an alarm.

If you miss an appointment for your dose of Simponi Aria, call your doctor right away to reschedule.

To help you remember your infusion appointments, try marking a calendar. Another idea is to download a reminder app on your phone.

Do not inject more Simponi than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Because a healthcare professional will give you Simponi Aria, it’s unlikely that you’ll receive too much of this drug.

What to do in case you inject too much Simponi or Simponi Aria

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Simponi. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Simponi or Simponi Aria for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you’re using Simponi, do not change your dosage without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Simponi exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor before starting treatment with Simponi or Simponi Aria:

  • How often do I need to rotate the injection site for my Simponi dose?
  • What should I bring with me when I get my Simponi Aria infusion?
  • If I lose weight, will my Simponi Aria dosage need to be changed?
  • If Simponi isn’t working for me, will you increase my dose of the drug?
  • Will my Simponi dose work better if I also take methotrexate?

If you have rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis, consider subscribing to the Healthline newsletters for rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. You’ll get news on current treatments, tips for managing flare-ups, and more.

If you’re looking to connect with people who live with the same condition, you might want to join a Bezzy community. Currently, you’ll find communities for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriatic arthritis.

Q:

I have a sinus infection. Do I need to stop taking Simponi until I feel better?

Anonymous

A:

Before or during Simponi treatment, tell your doctor about any infection you may have, including a sinus infection. They’ll likely want to work out how serious your infection is and how your body is reacting to it. It’s possible they may order blood tests or imaging tests to do this.

Your doctor will come up with a treatment plan to help you get through your sinus infection. Depending on how severe the infection is, they may have you continue using Simponi. Or they may temporarily or permanently stop your Simponi treatment.

Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.