Definition, Side Effects, Uses & Drug List

What is a biologic drug (biologics)?

• A biologic drug (biologics) is a product that is produced from living organisms or contain
  components of living organisms.
• Biologic drugs include a wide variety of
  products derived from human, animal, or microorganisms by using biotechnology.
• Types of biologic drugs include vaccines, blood, blood components, cells, allergens, genes,
  tissues, and recombinant proteins.
• Biologic products may contain proteins that
  control the action of other proteins and cellular processes, genes that control
  production of vital proteins, modified human hormones, or cells that produce
  substances that suppress or activate components of the immune system.
• Biologic drugs are sometimes referred to as biologic response modifiers because they
  change the manner of operation of natural biologic intracellular and cellular
  actions.

What are the medical uses for biologics?

Biologic drugs are used for treatment of numerous diseases and conditions, and are
the most advanced therapies available. Some biologic drugs are used for the
treatment of Crohn’s disease,
ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. Available biologics have revolutionized cancer treatment, delayed or
reversed the course of immune related conditions, changed the lives of people
with rare diseases, and have offered hope for many patients who previously had
no effective treatment options for their condition.

Examples of medical uses for biologic drugs include:

What are the side effects of biologics?

Side effects of a biologic drug depends on the specific biologic drug, and method of
introduction into the body.

1. Most biologic drugs have the potential to cause
   allergic hypersensitivity reactions.
2. Biologic drugs that are used for rheumatoid
   arthritis, psoriasis, and other immune related disorders suppress the immune
   system and increase the risk of infections.
3. Since some biologic drugs are given
   by injection they also can cause injection site reactions.
4. Other biologic drugs
   are given intravenously and can cause infusion reactions.

These side effects are compiled from side effects listed for several biologic
drugs. Each type of biologic drug has its own specific side effect profile and
may or may not cause the side effects listed here.

Common side effects of biologic drugs include:

Other side effects of biologic drugs include:

Serious side effects of biologic drugs include:

What preparations are available for biologics?

Biologic drugs are administered by injection or infusion because they are
proteins that are quickly digested and inactivated if given by mouth. Therefore,
biologic drugs are supplied as powders for infusion or solutions for injection.

Which drugs or supplements interact with biologics?

• Biologic drugs, for example, adalimubab (Humira), that affect the immune system may interfere
  with the effectiveness of vaccines. Live vaccines, including attenuated
  vaccines, should not be used while patients are being treated with biologics
  that affect the immune system. Patients should complete all recommended
  immunizations prior to receiving these types of biologic drygs. Prescreening for
  dormant tuberculosis (TB) generally
  is recommended.
• Serious infections are more likely to occur when biologic drugs that suppress the
  immune system are combined with other drugs that also suppress the immune
  system.

Are biologics safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

• Most biologic drugs have not been adequately studied in
  pregnant women or women
  who are breastfeeding.
• Some biologics, for example follitropin alpha (Gonal f),
  nivolumab (Opdivo), and pembrolizumab (Keytruda), may be harmful to the fetus
  because of their mechanism of action and the results from animal studies.
• Some
  biologic drygs may be present in breast milk. Mothers who are breastfeeding should
  decide with their doctors whether or not to stop or discontinue the biologic
  because many drugs are excreted in breast milk and there may present a risk of
  serious adverse effects in the infant.

What brand and generic names are available for biologics?

List of examples of brand and generic biologic drugs available in the US