COVID-19 Biologics Information

Info from American Academy of Dermatology regarding Covid-19 and Biologics

Patients on biologics: Should I continue treatment?

With COVID-19 having the biggest impact on older patients and those with suppressed immune systems, you may wonder if continuing biologic treatment is a good idea. In a soon-to-be-published letter to the editor in JAAD evaluating this question, the authors concluded, “We do not know if biologic therapies render patients more susceptible to coronavirus, but we know that in a pre-coronavirus era, respiratory infection rates were comparable to placebo. Conversely, discontinuation of some biologics can result in loss of response when treatments are reintroduced or even result in the formation of antibodies to the discontinued biologic. All of these factors must be considered when advising patients about continuing or discontinuing biologic therapies.”

Biologics used in our office include:

• infliximab (Remicade)
• adalimumab (Humira)
• etanercept (Enbrel)
• ustekinumab (Stelara)
• ixekizumab (Taltz)
• secukinumab (Cosentyx)
• guselkumab (Tremfya)
• brodalumab (Siliq)
• certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
• tildrakizumab (Ilumya)
• risankizumab (Skyrizi)

1.  Any patient with fever (temp higher than 99 degrees F) or cold symptoms who is on a biologic must discontinue immediately.

2.  Any patient with known or suspected exposure to covid-19 should discontinue immediately.

3.  Other patients including eldery, those with comorbidities or other concerns will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

This is a fluid situation so recommendations may change as more information is available.  If you are unsure about whether you should stop your biologic, please call our office and a physician will review on a case by case basis to determine the best course of action.