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Finding the right treatment while managing costs: One patient's ulcerative colitis journey

Health2026-11-10

(BPT) - Sponsored by Organon

Key takeaways

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can disrupt daily life and require ongoing care.
For Dov Steinberg, finding a treatment that helped was only part of the challenge; the ongoing cost placed his family under financial strain.
After discussing his concerns with his healthcare provider, Steinberg was switched to a biosimilar to the biologic he had been taking.
Biosimilars are highly similar to their reference biologics, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness, and may offer a potentially lower-cost treatment option.

When unexplained symptoms became a diagnosis

When Dov Steinberg, a Chicago-based commercial and residential property manager, first experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, they were vague and difficult to diagnose. He experienced abdominal pain, fatigue, and bleeding that came and went, so it took time for him to realize something more serious was happening.

In 2020, Steinberg was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). According to Mayo Clinic, UC causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the superficial lining of the colon and rectum. Symptoms vary and may include diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain and cramping, urgency, weight loss, fatigue, and fever.

"The diagnosis brought clarity, but it also changed how I saw the future," Steinberg said. "I understood that UC wasn't simply going to go away. It was something I would need to manage over the long term."

Finding relief and facing a new burden

Over the next three years, Steinberg tried several treatments without improvement. Eventually, his doctor prescribed a biologic-a type of medicine that contains active substances from a biological source-that significantly improved his condition. His UC symptoms did not disappear, but they became milder and more manageable.

Then, cost became its own source of uncertainty. Continuing the treatment that had helped him was not financially sustainable, and the expense put financial pressure on his family.

"Even though the treatment was helping me medically, the financial burden became overwhelming," Steinberg said. "I was trying to protect my health while also protecting my family's financial well-being."

Steinberg's experience reflects a wider challenge. In a 2026 KFF survey, just under half of US adults said healthcare costs were difficult to afford, and 36% said cost had caused them to skip or postpone needed care in the previous year.

A potentially lower-cost option and understandable questions

After reviewing his situation, Steinberg's doctor and insurance company suggested that he consider HADLIMA^® (adalimumab-bwwd), a biosimilar to the medicine he had been taking.

Biosimilars are highly similar to FDA-approved reference biologics and have no clinically meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness. Switching to a biosimilar offered Steinberg a highly similar option, with the potential to reduce his out-of-pocket costs.

Even with the potential savings, Steinberg was hesitant. After years of trial and error, switching away from a treatment that was helping felt risky.

"I didn't know what a biosimilar was," Steinberg said. "I worried that changing treatment could mean losing the progress I had finally made. After years of trying different options, I wanted to protect the stability I had worked so hard to reach."

His concerns began to ease when his doctor explained what a biosimilar is and answered his questions about switching.

"Hearing that HADLIMA was highly similar to the medicine I had been taking-and talking through my questions with my doctor-changed my perspective," Steinberg said.

HADLIMA is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. It is not known if adalimumab products are effective in people who stopped responding to or could not tolerate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines. See full indications below.

You should discuss the potential benefits and risks of HADLIMA with your doctor. HADLIMA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicine that can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. You should not start taking HADLIMA if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay. See full Important Safety Information below.

Continuing treatment with greater financial peace of mind

After Steinberg and his healthcare team decided to move forward, he said the transition to HADLIMA was smooth and did not require him to change his routine.

Steinberg said the lower out-of-pocket cost eased some of the financial pressure his family had been carrying.

"When I learned what my copay would be, it felt like a weight had lifted," Steinberg said. "I was relieved. The savings meant a lot to me and my family. To get a similar treatment for lower out-of-pocket expense feels like winning twice."

A conversation worth having

Steinberg has now been taking HADLIMA for about a year and a half, and he hopes his experience encourages others living with UC to feel confident advocating for their care and exploring potentially lower-cost treatment options with their healthcare provider.

"I would encourage someone with UC to talk with their healthcare provider and learn about the choices available to them, including whether a biosimilar may be appropriate," Steinberg said. "For me, having clear information made me feel more involved in the decision. It's like grabbing the steering wheel of your car-you're in the driver's seat, making the right choice for yourself and your family."

What is HADLIMA?

HADLIMA is a prescription medicine used:

To reduce the signs and symptoms of:
- Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. HADLIMA can be used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines.
- Moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children 2 years of age and older. HADLIMA can be used alone or with methotrexate.
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. HADLIMA can be used alone or with certain other medicines.
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults.
- Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in people 12 years and older.
To treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) in adults and children 6 years of age and older.
To treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults.It is not known if adalimumab products are effective in people who stopped responding to or could not tolerate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker medicines.
To treat moderate to severe chronic (lasting a long time) plaque psoriasis (Ps) in adults who have the condition in many areas of their body and who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).
To treat non-infectious intermediate(middle part of the eye), posterior (back of the eye), and panuveitis (all parts of the eye) in adults and children 2 years of age and older.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about HADLIMA?

Serious infections have happened in people taking adalimumab products. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your doctor should test you for TB before starting HADLIMA, and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with HADLIMA, even if your TB test was negative. If your doctor feels you are at risk, you may be treated with medicine for TB.

Cancer. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including HADLIMA, the chance of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. There have been cases of unusual cancers in children, teenagers, and young adults using TNF blockers. Some people have developed a rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This type of cancer often results in death. If using TNF blockers, including HADLIMA, your chance of getting 2 types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell) may increase. These types are generally not life threatening if treated; tell your doctor if you have a bump or open sore that does not heal.

What should I tell my doctor BEFORE starting HADLIMA?

Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including if you:

Have an infection, are being treated for infection, or have symptoms of an infection.
Get a lot of infections or infections that keep coming back.
Have diabetes.
Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB, or were born in, lived in, or traveled where there is more risk for getting TB.
Live or have lived in an area (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys) where there is an increased risk for getting certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis. These infections may happen or become more severe if you use HADLIMA. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if you have lived in these areas.
Have or have had hepatitis B.
Are scheduled for major surgery.
Have or have had cancer.
Have numbness or tingling or a nervous system disease, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Have or had heart failure.
Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. HADLIMA patients may receive vaccines, except for live vaccines. Children should be brought up to date on all vaccines before starting HADLIMA.
Are allergic to HADLIMA or any of its ingredients.
Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
Have a baby and were using HADLIMA during your pregnancy. Tell your baby's doctor before your baby receives any vaccines.

Also tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. You should not take HADLIMA with ORENCIA^® (abatacept), KINERET^®(anakinra), REMICADE^® (infliximab), ENBREL^®(etanercept), CIMZIA^® (certolizumab pegol), or SIMPONI^®(golimumab). Tell your doctor if you have ever used RITUXAN^® (rituximab), IMURAN^® (azathioprine), or PURINETHOL^® (mercaptopurine, 6-MP).

What should I watch for after starting HADLIMA?

HADLIMA can cause serious side effects, including:

Serious infections. These include TB and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Symptoms related to TB include a cough, low-grade fever, weight loss, or loss of body fat and muscle.
Hepatitis B infection in carriers of the virus. Symptoms include muscle aches, feeling very tired, dark urine, skin or eyes that look yellow, little or no appetite, vomiting, clay-colored bowel movements, fever, chills, stomach discomfort, and skin rash.
Allergic reactions. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include hives, trouble breathing, and swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or mouth.
Nervous system problems. Signs and symptoms include numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your arms or legs, and dizziness.
Blood problems(decreased blood cells that help fight infections or stop bleeding). Symptoms include a fever that does not go away, bruising or bleeding very easily, or looking very pale.
Heart failure (new or worsening). Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, and sudden weight gain.
Immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. Symptoms include chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, or rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun.
Liver problems. Symptoms include feeling very tired, skin or eyes that look yellow, poor appetite or vomiting, and pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen). These problems can lead to liver failure and death.
Psoriasis (new or worsening). Symptoms include red scaly patches or raised bumps that are filled with pus.

Call your doctor or get medical care right away if you develop any of the above symptoms.

Common side effects of HADLIMA include injection site reactions (pain, redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising), upper respiratory infections (sinus infections), headaches, rash, and nausea. These are not all of the possible side effects with HADLIMA. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Remember, tell your doctor right away if you have an infection or symptoms of an infection, including:

Fever, sweats, or chills
Muscle aches
Cough
Shortness of breath
Blood in phlegm
Weight loss
Warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
Diarrhea or stomach pain
Burning when you urinate
Urinating more often than normal
Feeling very tired

HADLIMA is given by injection under the skin.

This is the most important information to know about HADLIMA. For more information, talk to your health care provider.

Please read the accompanying Medication Guide for HADLIMA, including the information about serious infections and cancers, and discuss it with your doctor. The Instructions for Use and Physician Prescribing Information also are available.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

To learn more about HADLIMA, visit HADLIMA.com.

US-ADA-111211 10/26

Source: BrandPoint

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