How Does Certolizumab Pegol Work?
Certolizumab pegol belongs to a group of drugs called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. There are different types of TNF, and certolizumab pegol binds preferentially to TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is involved in inflammation and other immune system functions. TNF-alpha can contribute to
Crohn's disease by encouraging inflammation, and people with Crohn's often have high TNF-alpha levels. Blocking TNF-alpha helps to decrease the inflammation and to relieve the signs and symptoms of Crohn's.
Interestingly, certolizumab pegol is actually a fragment of a human antibody. It is produced in special bacteria that were designed to produce this human antibody fragment. The antibody fragment is then "pegylated," which means it is attached to a polyethylene glycol molecule. This process helps certolizumab pegol stay in the body longer (so it can be taken less often).
Certolizumab Pegol Use in Children or Teens
Certolizumab pegol is not approved for use in children or teens. Talk with your child's healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using certolizumab pegol in children.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend certolizumab pegol for something other than Crohn's disease. Theoretically, certolizumab pegol might be beneficial (and may be tried in an
off-label fashion) for treating the following conditions:
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