Precautions
Remicade is also used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in adults and children at least 6 years old. Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective. You should not use Remicade if you are allergic to infliximab, or if you are also being treated with anakinra (Kineret) or abatacept (Orencia).
What is Remicade used to treat?
Medically reviewed on Oct 3, 2018. Remicade (infliximab) reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation. Remicade is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.
What is Remicade (infliximab)?
Remicade is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. ... Remicade is also used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis.
Is Remicade good for psoriatic arthritis?
If Remicade works to treat your condition, you’ll likely take the drug long term. For more information about Remicade, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug. Like other drugs, Remicade infusions can cause mild or serious side effects.
Can Remicade be taken long term?
What diseases does REMICADE treat?
This medication is used to treat certain types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the spine, psoriatic arthritis), certain bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and a certain severe skin disease (chronic plaque psoriasis).
Is REMICADE a form of chemo?
It's used to treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease. It was initially designed as a chemotherapy drug to treat cancer but wasn't effective for cancer. The drug has been shown to work against autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's.
Why is REMICADE given?
REMICADE® is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). REMICADE® is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of active arthritis, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
What type of therapy is REMICADE?
Remicade infusion therapy is used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Remicade (infliximab) helps decrease inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Is Remicade worth the risk?
Remicade can increase your risk of serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. This drug affects your immune system. It can decrease your body's ability to fight infections such as tuberculosis or infections caused by different bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Do you gain weight on Remicade?
Does Remicade cause weight gain or weight loss? Changes in weight were not reported in studies of people taking Remicade. But if you notice that your weight is changing, you should talk with your doctor. In some cases, weight loss or gain may be a sign of other side effects of Remicade.
What are the serious side effects of REMICADE?
Allergic reactions during or after infusion—hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, and fever or chills. Delayed allergic reactions (3 to 12 days after infusion)—fever, rash, headache, sore throat, muscle or joint pain, swelling of the face and hands, or difficulty swallowing.
Is REMICADE an anti inflammatory?
In clinical studies of people with inflammation conditions, such as psoriasis or Crohn's disease, Remicade was found to be significantly more effective for easing depressive symptoms than a placebo. It's not clear why, but a reduction in inflammation may have played a role.
How long can you take REMICADE?
Long-term use If you and your doctor determine that Remicade is safe and effective for you, you'll likely take it long term. But if you're an adult taking the drug for Crohn's disease, your doctor may switch you to a different medication if your condition doesn't respond to Remicade after 14 weeks.
Is REMICADE an immunotherapy drug?
Infliximab is a type of monoclonal antibody drug that is classified as a biologic. This drug acts as an immunosuppressant drug and is commonly used to treat autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis (UC), psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Is REMICADE used for rheumatoid arthritis?
REMICADE®, in combination with methotrexate, is a prescription medication for adults living with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. REMICADE® is not right for everyone, and individual results may vary.
How do you feel after REMICADE infusion?
Regardless of the condition the drug is used to treat, Remicade may cause common mild side effects, such as headache and belly pain. More of these may go away within a few days or weeks. Remicade may also cause some rare, but more serious, side effects.
Are Biologics chemotherapy?
The main difference is that biological therapies are derived from living organisms that can modify the immune response, while chemotherapy utilizes chemicals to destroy existing cancerous cells. There are also different types of each.
Does Remicade weaken your immune system?
REMICADE can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients receiving REMICADE. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections.
How long do you stay on Remicade?
Doctors use a drug's half-life to find out how long the drug stays in your blood. Usually after about 4 to 5 half-lives, your body will have rid itself of the medication. It takes between 7 to 9 days for the body to get rid of half of a dose of Remicade. This means Remicade can stay in your system for 28 to 45 days.
How common is hair loss with Remicade?
Remicade didn't cause hair loss in people who took the medication in clinical studies. However, hair loss has been reported in people who took other tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors. (Remicade is a type of TNF-alpha inhibitor.) Also, some people who took Remicade developed new or worsening psoriasis.
Does Remicade cause hair loss, issues with teeth, or weight gain?
It’s unclear. Remicade wasn’t reported to cause hair loss or teeth issues. And more research needs to be done on whether Remicade can cause weight...
How does Remicade work? Is it a chemotherapy drug?
No, Remicade isn’t a chemotherapy drug. Chemotherapy drugs stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or stopping them from multiplying (makin...
What’s the half-life of Remicade? How long does it stay in your system?
The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for your body to get rid of half of the medication. Doctors use a drug’s half-life to find out h...
What should I know about Remicade vs. Stelara?
Your doctor may prescribe either Stelara or Remicade if you’re an adult and have any of the following conditions: plaque psoriasis ulcerative colit...
Will my body make antibodies to Remicade?
Yes, it’s possible for your body to make antibodies (immune system proteins) to Remicade. This would affect how well the medication works. Since Re...
If I stop using Remicade, will I have withdrawal symptoms?
No, you won’t have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Remicade. But symptoms of your disease may come back or worsen. If you want to stop using...
What Is Remicade?
This medication is used to treat certain types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the spine, psoriatic arthritis), certain bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and a certain severe skin disease (chronic plaque psoriasis).
May Treat: Crohn's disease · Ankylosing spondylitis · Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis · Psoriatic arthritis · Rheumatoid arthritis and more
Alternate Brand Names: Avsola · Inflectra · Renflexis
Drug Class: Anti-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibiting Agnts, TNF-alpha Sel · DMARD - Anti-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibiting Agents · Inflammatory Bowel Agent - Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Blockers
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
May Treat: Crohn's disease · Ankylosing spondylitis · Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis · Psoriatic arthritis · Rheumatoid arthritis and more
Alternate Brand Names: Avsola · Inflectra · Renflexis
Drug Class: Anti-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibiting Agnts, TNF-alpha Sel · DMARD - Anti-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibiting Agents · Inflammatory Bowel Agent - Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Blockers
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Manufacturer: JANSSEN BIOTECH
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Infuse this drug via a vein (intravenously)
- Check for TB before and during treatment
- Before use, important to read the Medication Guide
- Infuse this drug via a vein (intravenously)
- Check for TB before and during treatment
- Call MD now for fever, chills, cough or fatigue.
- The drug may increase the risk of getting cancer.
- Call MD if new abdominal pain/yellowing eyes/skin
- Avoid live vaccines and newly vaccinated people.
- Store in refrigerator. Do not freeze or shake.
How to Take It
Side Effects
Warnings and Precautions
Important Safety Information
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Remicade®?
- As stated above, Remicade is given intravenously. And, often in combination with methotrexate, another common medication for the treatment of RA. Remicade is usually prescribed in combination with methotrexate to enhance the effectiveness of both drugs. As Remicade is given intravenously, you’ll need to visit a doctor’s office or an outpatient treatment center to receive th…
Side Effects of Remicade®
- In general, the side effectsof Remicade have been pretty mild. The most common side effects of the drug are rashes and headaches. However, other side effects that have been reported include: 1. Nausea 2. Vomiting 3. Back pain 4. Urinary tract infections 5. Abdominal pain 6. Fever Right after the IV infusion is completed, some patients experience changes in blood pressure, difficult…
Indications
- Because of drug interactions, there are a number of conditions you should tell your doctor about prior to taking Remicade. If you have any of the following, please consult with your doctor: 1. Congestive heart failure 2. Multiple Sclerosis or other nervous system disorders 3. Lupus 4. Cytopenia 5. Tuberculosis 6. Diabetes 7. Immune system disorders 8. Cancer 9. Hepatitis B 10. …