Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Biologics WorkSide EffectsPotential RisksExamples of BiologicsSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Biologics Work
Side Effects
Potential Risks
Examples of Biologics
Summary
Biologics are drugs made from complex molecules manufactured using living microorganisms, plant, or animal cells. Many are produced using advanced biotechnology techniques. Biologics are sometimes referred to as biopharmaceuticals, or biological drugs, and are administered under close medical supervision.
Biologics target different pathways in the immune system to treat disease. Biologics can reduce inflammation and stop joint damage common in psoriatic arthritis, improving quality of life. Rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, and diabetes have the greatest number of dedicated biologic treatments.
Biologic drugs target specific proteins or cells in your body. They also target pathways of the immune system that trigger inflammation.
For example, those designed to treatrheumatoid arthritisblock certain inflammatory proteins or pro-inflammatory cells.Biologic cancer treatments help the body’s immune system identify and destroy cancer cells.
Examples of different types of biologics include:
Biologics don’t always work for everyone, and it can be challenging to find the right biologic medication. They can also have severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects.
There are a range of potential side effects from the administration of biologics. The severity depends on the type of biologic, duration of use, a person’s medical history, and how a person’s body responds to the drug. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning use.
For example, with rheumatoid arthritis biologics, there may be mild pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. More adverse side effects can include serious infections including tuberculosis,bacterial sepsis,and invasive fungal infections.
Some common side effects of biologics may include:
Some severe side effects may include:
Some potential risks associated with these biologics may include:
There are various types of biologics for different conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. This list includes the top 10 biologics in the United States and what they are approved for.
Humira (adalimumab)
Enbrel (etanercept)
Remicade (infliximab)
Avastin (bevacizumab):
Herceptin(trastuzumab):
Rituxan (rituximab)
Lantus (insulin glargine):
Avonex(interferon beta-1α):
Lucentis (ranibizumab):
Neulasta (pegfilgrastim):
BURGER/PHANIE / Canopy / Getty Images
Biologics are used to treat conditions such as immune diseases, cancer, and diabetes. They may not work for everyone, and they can have serious side effects. Be sure to discuss these medications with your healthcare provider before using them.
23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.Understanding biologic and biosimilar drugs.World Health Organization.Biologicals.Humira.Before making a decision, get the facts.Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Biologic Medications.DailyMed.Humira.Fouda GE, Bavbek S.Rituximab hypersensitivity: From clinical presentation to management.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:572863. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.572863DailyMed.Humira.Ahn SM, Jonggi C, et al.Risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation in Patients with Immune-Medicated Inflammatory Diseases Receiving Biologics: Focus on Timing of Biologics after Anti-HBV Treatment.Gut Liver. 2022;16(4):567-574.doi:10.5009/gnl210204DailyMed.Avastin.DailyMed.Lucentis.DailyMed.Humira.DailyMed.Herceptin.Food and Drug Administration.Humira (adalimumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Enbrel (etanercept) label.Food and Drug Administration.Remicade (infliximab) label.Food and Drug Administration.Avastin (bevacizumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Herceptin (trastuzumab) label.Food and Drug Administration.Rituxan (rituximab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Avonex (interferon beta-1a injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) label.
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.Understanding biologic and biosimilar drugs.World Health Organization.Biologicals.Humira.Before making a decision, get the facts.Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Biologic Medications.DailyMed.Humira.Fouda GE, Bavbek S.Rituximab hypersensitivity: From clinical presentation to management.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:572863. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.572863DailyMed.Humira.Ahn SM, Jonggi C, et al.Risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation in Patients with Immune-Medicated Inflammatory Diseases Receiving Biologics: Focus on Timing of Biologics after Anti-HBV Treatment.Gut Liver. 2022;16(4):567-574.doi:10.5009/gnl210204DailyMed.Avastin.DailyMed.Lucentis.DailyMed.Humira.DailyMed.Herceptin.Food and Drug Administration.Humira (adalimumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Enbrel (etanercept) label.Food and Drug Administration.Remicade (infliximab) label.Food and Drug Administration.Avastin (bevacizumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Herceptin (trastuzumab) label.Food and Drug Administration.Rituxan (rituximab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Avonex (interferon beta-1a injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) label.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.Understanding biologic and biosimilar drugs.World Health Organization.Biologicals.Humira.Before making a decision, get the facts.Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Biologic Medications.DailyMed.Humira.Fouda GE, Bavbek S.Rituximab hypersensitivity: From clinical presentation to management.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:572863. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.572863DailyMed.Humira.Ahn SM, Jonggi C, et al.Risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation in Patients with Immune-Medicated Inflammatory Diseases Receiving Biologics: Focus on Timing of Biologics after Anti-HBV Treatment.Gut Liver. 2022;16(4):567-574.doi:10.5009/gnl210204DailyMed.Avastin.DailyMed.Lucentis.DailyMed.Humira.DailyMed.Herceptin.Food and Drug Administration.Humira (adalimumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Enbrel (etanercept) label.Food and Drug Administration.Remicade (infliximab) label.Food and Drug Administration.Avastin (bevacizumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Herceptin (trastuzumab) label.Food and Drug Administration.Rituxan (rituximab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Avonex (interferon beta-1a injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) label.Food and Drug Administration.Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) label.
Arthritis Foundation.Biologics.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.Understanding biologic and biosimilar drugs.
World Health Organization.Biologicals.
Humira.Before making a decision, get the facts.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Biologic Medications.
DailyMed.Humira.
Fouda GE, Bavbek S.Rituximab hypersensitivity: From clinical presentation to management.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:572863. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.572863
Ahn SM, Jonggi C, et al.Risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation in Patients with Immune-Medicated Inflammatory Diseases Receiving Biologics: Focus on Timing of Biologics after Anti-HBV Treatment.Gut Liver. 2022;16(4):567-574.doi:10.5009/gnl210204
DailyMed.Avastin.
DailyMed.Lucentis.
DailyMed.Herceptin.
Food and Drug Administration.Humira (adalimumab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Enbrel (etanercept) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Remicade (infliximab) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Avastin (bevacizumab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Herceptin (trastuzumab) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Rituxan (rituximab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Avonex (interferon beta-1a injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) label.
Food and Drug Administration.Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) label.
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