The condition and the treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the body's immune system, which normally fights infection, goes wrong and starts to attack healthy joints. The joints become swollen, stiff and painful, and eventually they can stop working properly. People with 'severe active' rheumatoid arthritis have very swollen and painful joints that can make everyday activities difficult.
People who have rheumatoid arthritis produce too much of a substance called 'TNF-alpha', which is involved in causing inflammation.
Golimumab (also known as Simponi) stops TNF-alpha working in the body, which helps to reduce swelling and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis. When golimumab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis it needs to be taken in combination with another drug known as methotrexate.
NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.