Taking more than one biologic at the same time
I was diagnosed with UC 30 years ago and have been on a biologic since 2006. I had 104 infusions of Remicade before it stopped working and then tried 4 other biologics until we (my Dr. and I) finally found one that worked. I have been in remission for almost 5 years now. In the meantime, I have had asthma most of my life. When I was on Remicade it seemed to keep my asthma in check. But now that I am on a different biologic (Stelara) that is geared only to UC and Crohn's, my asthma has become steroid dependent. Both my allergist and my gastroenterologist want me to take a second biologic that is geared to the asthma so that I can get off the steroids and relieve all the nasty side effects of long-term steroids use. Needless to say, I really want to get off the steroids, but I am concerned with what being on two different biologic medications would do to me. Is anyone else on multiple biologic medications for multiple autoimmune disease?
Hi
. Comorbid conditions certainly create treatment issues and it is understandable that you would be leery about duel biologic treatments. There doesn't appear to be a lot of research on the topic, but there is some. I found this article focusing on asthma and rheumatic conditions (some of the biologics for these overlap with IBD): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9923700. I also found this article focusing on a specific biologic often used for asthma in combination with other biologics: https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(25)00203-0/fulltext. There was another study from the British NHS specifically on IBD and asthma, but there is no way to share it. It notes that no adverse events were recorded in the cases they studied, but the time-frame was a limiting factor. The decision on whether to try the duel-therapy is, of course, up to you. I hope this information is helpful. Did your doctors offer any information or thoughts on the risks? Wishing you the best. Richard (Team Member)
