[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [TNF inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/tnf-inhibitors/) › Golimumab [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [TNF inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/tnf-inhibitors/) # Golimumab A human anti-TNF antibody given by injection under the skin or by infusion, for rheumatoid, psoriatic and spinal arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Updated 2026-11-01 - Class: [TNF inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/tnf-inhibitors/) - Target: Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) - ATC code: L04AB06 ◆**Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)**Golimumab ⓘ The figure shows human TNF bound to the variable fragment (Fv) of golimumab. **Target in 3D:** Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). PDB structure 5YOY (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5YOY) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom ## Mechanism of action Golimumab is a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody that binds soluble and membrane TNF-α and blocks its receptors. - Human IgG1 binds TNF-α - TNF receptors stay unoccupied - Inflammation and joint damage fall ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Subcutaneous injection, or intravenous infusion for one form **Metabolism** Broken down like other antibodies ## Indications - Rheumatoid arthritis [Rheumatoid arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/) - Ankylosing spondylitis [Ankylosing spondylitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/) - Psoriatic arthritis [Psoriatic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/) - Ulcerative colitis [Ulcerative colitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/) - Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis [Juvenile idiopathic arthritis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Upper respiratory infections - Injection-site reactions ### Serious (rare, important) - Serious infections (bacterial, viral, fungal and opportunistic) that can need hospital care or be fatal - Reactivation of latent tuberculosis or hepatitis B - Lymphoma and other cancers, including in children and young adults; hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma in young people with inflammatory bowel disease - New or worse heart failure - Demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome) - Lupus-like syndrome; low blood counts - Liver injury ## Contraindications - Active serious infection, including active tuberculosis - Hypersensitivity to golimumab ## Key interactions **Anakinra or abatacept** More serious infections without added benefit; not combined. **Live vaccines** Risk of infection by the vaccine strain; avoided during treatment. **Other immunosuppressants (glucocorticoids, methotrexate, azathioprine)** Additive risk of infection; azathioprine or mercaptopurine with a TNF blocker has been linked to hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. ## What is monitored - Latent tuberculosis test before starting, and watch for active TB during and after treatment even if the test was negative - Hepatitis B screening before starting - Signs of infection at every visit - Skin checks for cancer ## Administration and safety - Subcutaneous pen or syringe; the intravenous form is a separate product, given by infusion in a clinic. - Kept refrigerated in its carton. ## Nursing care - Confirm that the latent TB test and hepatitis B screening are done (and treated if positive) before the first dose. - Do not give the dose during an active infection; report fever, cough, night sweats or weight loss. - Check that vaccines are up to date before starting; live vaccines are avoided during treatment. - Ask about heart failure and neurological disease before starting. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding If it is used during pregnancy, the baby may need some vaccines later than usual, so the baby's doctor is told. ## Memory aid GOLImumab: GOes to joints, spine and colon (ulcerative colitis) — a human anti-TNF. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which bowel disease is an indication for golimumab? Ulcerative colitis. ## Is golimumab a chimeric or a human antibody? Human IgG1κ (unlike infliximab, which is chimeric). ## Which infection must be excluded before golimumab, as with every TNF inhibitor? Latent tuberculosis (and hepatitis B). [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/golimumab/) ## Related drugs - [Adalimumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/adalimumab/) - [Infliximab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/infliximab/) - [Certolizumab pegol](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/certolizumab-pegol/) - [Etanercept](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/etanercept/) ## Related conditions - [Rheumatoid arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/) - [Ankylosing spondylitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/) - [Psoriatic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/) - [Ulcerative colitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/) - [Juvenile idiopathic arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/) [← Back to the class: TNF inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/tnf-inhibitors/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Golimumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a610010.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 39 (McGraw Hill, 2023); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L04AB06) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/golimumab/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/golimumab/