22 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
About Biologics

If your doctor prescribes you biologic therapy, be prepared to ask questions. Why is it needed? How is treatment monitored to ensure the biologic is working? Can you take the medication at home? How much does it cost?

Here are questions to ask your doctor so that you go into treatment well-informed about the biologic medication you’re prescribed.

Starter questions about biologics

Ask these questions when you start your biologics treatment journey. It may be best to talk with a specialist such as an allergist instead of a primary care physician.

You’ll want to know why the biologic is being prescribed for your condition. Your doctor can help set expectations for the biologic treatment.

Your doctor may suggest a biologic drug for many reasons. One reason is that your condition is moderate to severe and is not responding to traditional medications.

Healthcare research shows the benefits of biologics can be significant. This includes people with asthma, allergies and skin conditions.

Biologics are often prescribed for people with moderate to severe symptoms. Factors such as family history affect the decision as well. Ask why a biologic is a better option for you than other specific treatment options.

Find out from your doctor how your treatment will be monitored. At a follow-up appointment, the doctor will likely ask you how you feel after starting biologics. Are your symptoms are getting better?

The doctor may perform a physical exam, evaluate your immune system, and do other medical tests. This will help determine whether the treatment is working for you.

This will depend on your condition and the severity of your symptoms. Clinical trials show that biologics can provide significant relief for people with severe asthma, allergies, eczema and other allergic conditions.

One study of people with severe asthma who used oral corticosteroids were able to reduce their risk of asthma attacks by 72.9% after using biologics.

Most biologics are prescribed for long-term use. But you may not have to take it for the rest of your life. Speak with your doctor about how long you should be on your prescribed biologic medicine.

When starting a biologic therapy, tell your doctor all the medications you are taking, for any medical condition. Your doctor can determine if the biologic interacts with any of your current medications.

You should continue regular medications while on biologics, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Biologics are add-on medications, meaning they are typically taken alongside other treatments.

If you have asthma, this means you should continue using your daily controller inhaler while also taking a biologic. And you should still use your quick-relief inhaler when symptoms occur.

Biologics are most often used in combination with other treatments. Talk with your doctor about what you can expect during your treatment.

Questions about using biologic medication

Biologic treatments involve injections or infusions. They are typically given in a doctor’s office. However, you can self-administer some biologics at home.

If you take or administer a biologic at home, it’s important to know how to self-administer the medication. Find out about the dosage amount. Learn where to inject the medicine.

Yes. For most biologics, you have the option to self-administer the medicine at home. If you decide to take it at home, you will likely be prescribed a pre-filled auto-injector.

Reslizumab (Cinqair®) is the only biologic given as an infusion. This can be done in a doctor’s office, at home by a healthcare professional, or at an infusion center.

Some people may be hesitant to self-inject medicine, especially if it’s their first time. Ask your doctor to demonstrate how to give yourself an injection at home. Be sure you are comfortable with the process before leaving the doctor’s office.

Ask what steps to take if anything goes wrong during the injection process and you don’t get the medicine.

Most biologics are injected in the upper arm, thigh or stomach. Reslizumab (Cinqair) is administered as an infusion, usually in the arm.

Knowing where your biologic is injected can help set expectations for a safe and successful treatment.

Dosage amounts vary. Most biologics should be administered every 2-4 weeks. You can find out this information from your doctor or the package insert.

Questions about biological reactions

Get a clear picture of how biologic therapy can improve your condition. Find out if there are any issues, including potential side effects, using the medication.

Remember: you have the final say in your treatment. If you’re not sure about taking a biologic, ask about other treatment options.

Side effects will vary depending on the biologic and your condition. In general, you may experience headache, fever, dry or itchy skin, fatigue, bruising or back pain from biologic use. You may also have minor irritation or discomfort at the injection site. This goes away in a couple days.

Some people may experience a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, after injection. If you take a biologic at home, your doctor should prescribe epinephrine to you as the first-line treatment. Take the epinephrine right away if symptoms occur. Seek emergency medical care if symptoms persist.

Talk with your doctor about any side effects to the biologic. Do not stop taking the biologic unless your doctor advises you to do so.

Some people may experience a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, after taking a biologic. Your doctor should prescribe you epinephrine as a first-line treatment. Give the epinephrine at the first sign of anaphylaxis symptoms. Then go to the hospital or urgent care if symptoms persist.

Biologics may not interact well with certain medications. These include prednisone, which is an oral corticosteroid used to treat asthma attacks, and antibiotics. Taking either while on biologic therapy could make it hard to fight off infections.

Before starting biologic therapy, give your doctor a list of all the medications you’re taking. Find out if any may interact poorly with the biologic.

You should not receive any live vaccines during biologic treatment. Live vaccines include the flu mist nasal spray, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella and yellow fever. Talk with your doctor about when you or your child on a biologic should receive the live vaccines.

The flu shot, pneumonia shot and COVID-19 vaccines are not live vaccines. You can take these vaccines during biologic treatment.

Ask your doctor if you can switch to a biosimilar instead of a biologic. A biosimilar is basically a copy of a biologic. It is close in structure and function. Biosimilars have the same safety standards and work like biologic medicines.

One of the benefits of switching to a biosimilar is lower cost. Biosimilars often don’t cost as much as biologic drugs.

This will depend on your condition and the severity of your symptoms. In some cases, it may take 3-6 months before you notice a difference in your symptoms.

Questions about biologic treatment maintenance

You will have the option to take your biologic medicine at a doctor’s office or at your home. Here are questions to ask your doctor so you know your biologic is safe and effective.

If you are taking your biologic at a doctor’s office or clinic, a healthcare provider at that location will administer the medication to you.

If you’re taking your biologic at home, you may have to get the medication from a specialty pharmacy. These are pharmacies trained to handle and manage biological therapies.

Ask your doctor to send your prescription to a specialty pharmacy close to where you live. Find out where other specialty pharmacies are in case you need an alternative.

Find out what to do so your biologic medicine is safe and secure at home. It needs to be fully effective when it’s time to take your injection or infusion.

In general, you should store your biologic medicine in its carton in your refrigerator. Do not freeze it. Do not expose it to high temperatures or direct sunlight.

When you’re ready to self-administer the medicine, take it out of the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature. This can take about 30-60 minutes.

Your doctor may want to schedule an appointment soon after your first biologic dose. After that, your doctor may suggest a follow-up visit every 2-3 months. This may depend on the severity of your condition.

Talk with your doctor if for any reason you decide you would like to try a different treatment. Ask about other medications and therapies if you don’t want to take biologics any longer. Do not stop taking your biologic without first speaking with your doctor.

Questions about the cost of biologics

Biologic medications are very expensive. Do not hesitate to talk with your doctor about the costs of these medications and your financial situation. Here are questions to ask:

The average cost of biologics is between $10,000 and $30,000 per year without insurance. In most cases, biologics are covered by private insurance. You may have a co-pay fee, however. Biologics are also covered under Medicare Part D, Medicare Part B and through Medicaid.

Talk with your doctor about the cost of these medications. Your doctor may be able to provide you with coupons or discounts.

If you have private insurance or insurance through Medicare, check your plan or contact your insurer to find out if biologic therapy is covered. Certain medications may need prior approval from your doctor.

Most biologic drug manufacturers offer financial assistance for eligible patients that make these medications very affordable. They may also offer assistance for people who are uninsured or under-insured.