Should you stop taking your biologics?
“Patients should NOT stop their biologic. Stopping will likely cause your disease to flare. There is emerging evidence that active inflammatory joint disease may make coronavirus worse in an infected individual.”
Canadian Spondylitis Association
“Do not stop taking your biologic therapy. Continue as normal. It is important for you to keep your symptoms under good control and avoid having a flare. However, if you develop the signs and symptoms of an infection or virus such as a high temperature, shortness of breath or generally feeling unwell we’d always recommend holding off on your next injection until you’ve seen a health professional.”
National Axial Spondyloarthritis Association
“There is no evidence to suggest that WELL patients, without fever or signs of infection should change or stop any of their regular prescribed medications including: DMARDs, Biologics, Anti-inflammatories [and] Steroids.”
Australian Rheumatology Association
“All patients, including those aged 16 years and under, should continue to take their medication unless directed otherwise by their rheumatology team.”
British Society for Rheumatology
“Immune suppressive drugs are useful to prevent a worsening of your RMD [Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Disease]. When you stop these drugs, you may experience a flare-up of the RMD. With regard to the effect of these drugs on a possible Coronavirus infection, we do not yet know enough to offer formal advice. We therefore advise you not to stop or reduce your medication at this time, unless your physician tells you otherwise for a specific reason.”
The European League Against Rheumatism
“If you are not infected, it is probably safe to continue it [biologics] unless you fall into the high risk categories mentioned above – that is, if you are elderly, have other serious conditions such as severe high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, or diabetes, or are a current smoker. In these cases, stopping your biologic or immunosuppressant for a while until the direction of the epidemic becomes more clear may be a consideration. This is a conversation you should be having with your rheumatologist if you fall into these categories.”
Spondylitis Association of America
References
Recommendations on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Advice on COVID19 / Coronavirus
COVID 19 and advice for patients on Immune-suppressing medications
Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - update for members
EULAR Guidance for patients COVID-19 outbreak
Coronavirus and Spondyloarthritis: Your Questions, Answered
