Treatment FAQ

why is remicade necessary for treatment?

by Jacky Leffler Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Precautions

  • Back pain, sudden and severe
  • blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
  • bloody nose
  • burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
  • change in mental status
  • clay-colored stools
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty speaking
  • dilated neck veins
  • double vision

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What does Remicade do to your body?

What Conditions does REMICADE Treat?

  • Crohn's disease
  • ankylosing spondylitis, a rheumatic disease causing pain and stiffness in backbone
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
  • ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition of the intestines
  • non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
  • psoriasis associated with arthritis
  • sarcoidosis

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What is Remicade used to treat?

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. This risk is even greater if you’re 65 years or older.

Does Remicade lower immune system?

What is Remicade used for?

  • Crohn’s disease (CD). Remicade is used to treat moderate to severe CD in adults and in children ages 6 years and older. ...
  • Ulcerative colitis (UC). Adults and children ages 6 years and older may use Remicade to treat moderate to severe UC. ...
  • Psoriatic arthritis (PsA). ...
  • Plaque psoriasis (PsO). ...
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ...
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ...

What conditions does Remicade treat?

Why do people get REMICADE?

Remicade® (infliximab) is a treatment option for patients who suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, who have not responded to other drug therapies. The drug is also used to treat various joint disorders as well as psoriasis.

What does REMICADE do to your body?

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.

What is the purpose of REMICADE in the patient with Crohn's disease?

Given intravenously, Remicade works by attacking a protein known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), believed to cause the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. The drug is approved for use in patients with moderate to severe disease who have failed other treatment or have specific complications.

How long can you be on REMICADE for?

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 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.

How will I feel after Remicade infusion?

Reactions can occur after the Remicade infusion. Symptoms generally include muscle or joint aches, itching, rash, fever and fatigue. These symptoms can be relieved by taking acetaminophen, antihistamines and/or steroids.

Does Remicade reduce inflammation?

Remicade blocks the TNF-alpha protein produced by the immune system. This reduces inflammation and puts the Crohn's and UC into remission. Remicade has been used to treat over 1 million patients with autoimmune diseases and has been studied for over 17 years.

What does Remicade do for ulcerative colitis?

Remicade is one of a group of medications which target TNF proteins, bind to them and block them. This helps to prevent inflammation in the body which is hoped will reduce IBD symptoms. The immune system is also suppressed. This can mean that people taking Remicade are more prone to picking up illnesses and infections.

What happens when Remicade doesn't work?

Some people treated with Remicade develop antibodies to the drug. These antibodies are immune system proteins that mistakenly attack the drug. If this occurs, Remicade may no longer work for you. If you're concerned about possible long-term side effects of Remicade, talk with your doctor.

Does Remicade make your hair fall out?

Hair loss. Remicade wasn't reported to cause hair loss. But Remicade lowers immune system activity. In rare cases, this could result in the body attacking hair cells, causing hair loss.

Is Remicade better than Humira?

They are known as biologics and are monoclonal antibodies. Remicade and Humira are in a drug class called tumor necrosis factor blockers, or TNF blockers....Conditions treated by Remicade and Humira.ConditionRemicadeHumiraHidradenitis suppurativaOff-labelYes (adults and children 12 years and older)8 more rows•Mar 10, 2022

Is weight gain a side effect of Remicade?

In some cases, weight loss or gain may be a sign of other side effects of Remicade. Remicade can cause heart failure, or can cause existing heart failure to get worse. A symptom of heart failure can be swelling, which may cause you to gain weight. Remicade may also increase your risk of infection.

What is Remicade used for?

Remicade is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and severe or disabling plaque psoriasis in adults. 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.

How long does it take for Remicade to work?

A healthcare provider will give you this injection. This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete. You may be watched closely after receiving infliximab, to make sure the medicine has not caused any serious side effects.

What are biologic medications?

any "biologic" medications to treat your condition - adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, natalizumab, rituximab, and others; or. any other medicines to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or psoriasis. This list is not complete.

How long does it take for remicade to cause a reaction?

skin changes, new growths on the skin; pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding; delayed allergic reaction (up to 12 days after receiving Remicade) - fever, sore throat, trouble swallowing, headache, joint or muscle pain, skin rash, or swelling in your face or hands;

Is remicade safe for you?

To make sure Remicade is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart failure or other heart problems; an active infection (fever, cough, flu symptoms, open sores or skin wounds); diabetes; liver failure, hepatitis B, or other liver problems; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); heart problems;

Does remicade affect your immune system?

Remicade affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Before you start using Remicade, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have certain infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, tiredness, flu symptoms, cough, or skin pain.

Can remicade cause cancer?

Remicade may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young men with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma.

How does remicade work?

Remicade comes as a vial of powder. Your healthcare provider will mix it with a liquid to make a solution. They will then give you the Remicade solution as an infusion. This is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time.

What is the drug class of Remicade?

Remicade drug class and form. Remicade contains the drug infliximab, which is a biologic (a drug made from parts of living organisms). Remicade belongs to a drug class called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.

How much infliximab is in remicade?

Remicade comes as a vial of powder, and each vial contains 100 mg of infliximab (the active drug in Remicade). Your healthcare provider will add a liquid to the vial to make a solution.

How old is too old to take remicade?

Remicade is approved by the FDA to treat children ages 6 years and older with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease or moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. For information on the effectiveness of Remicade in treating these conditions, see the “Remicade effectiveness” section above.

What is the name of the condition that causes red patches on the skin?

Psoriatic arthritis (in adults). Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of joint swelling that can occur with the skin condition psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis (in adults). Plaque psoriasis is a type of psoriasis in which red, itchy, red patches form on your skin.

How old should a baby be before getting remicade?

If you took Remicade while pregnant, your baby shouldn’t get live vaccines until they’re at least 6 months old. Babies exposed to Remicade before birth and who get vaccines too soon can have a higher risk for infections, serious complications, or death.

What is the name of the program that Remicade is offered by?

If you need financial support to pay for Remicade, help is available. Janssen, the manufacturer of Remicade, offers a program called Janssen CarePath. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 877-CarePath (877-227-3728) or visit the program website.

What is remicade for?

What is Remicade®? 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 long does it take for a reaction to occur after remicade?

Infusion reactions can happen up to 2 hours after your infusion of REMICADE®. Symptoms of infusion reactions may include: Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the side effects with REMICADE®. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What are the goals of rheumatoid arthritis?

These goals may include symptom control, improved physical function, and prevention of further damage to your joints.

Does Remicade help with TB?

REMICADE® can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious and sometimes fatal events can occur. There have been reports of serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that have spread throughout the body or cause infections in certain areas.

What is remicade used for?

Remicade is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing, and eliminating corticosteroid use in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.

What is remicade for psoriasis?

Plaque Psoriasis. Remicade is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic severe (i.e., extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis (Ps) who are candidates for systemic therapy and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate.

What age is remicade indicated?

Remicade is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active CD who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.

How long does it take for remicade to cause hypersensitivity?

Most hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, urticaria, dyspnea, and/or hypotension), have occurred during or within 2 hours of Remicade infusion.

What meds are used for hypersensitivity reactions?

Medications for the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., acetaminophen, antihistamines, corticosteroids and/or epinephrine) should be available for immediate use in the event of a reaction [see Dosage and Administration (2.10) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Can you take Remicade and Anakinra concurrently?

Therefore, the concurrent use of Remicade and anakinra is not recommended. In clinical studies, concurrent administration of TNF blockers and abatacept have been associated with an increased risk of infections including serious infections compared with TNF blockers alone, without increased clinical benefit.

Does remicade cause malformations?

Available observational studies in pregnant women exposed to Remicade showed no increased risk of major malformations among live births as compared to those exposed to non-biologics. However, findings on other birth and maternal outcomes were not consistent across studies of different study design and conduct (see Data).

What is the drug class of Remicade?

Drug class: tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors. Drug form: powder mixed with a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. Like other drugs, Remicade can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects.

How long does it take for remicade to go away?

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.

What is the FDA approved for?

It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions: ankylosing spondylitis in adults. Crohn’s disease in adults as well as children ages 6 years and older. plaque psoriasis in adults. psoriatic arthritis in adults.

Does remicade cause liver damage?

The use of Remicade may cause liver damage, but it occurred rarely in clinical trials. In some cases, this side effect led to liver failure, liver transplant, and, in a few instances, death.

Is Remicade safe for children?

Side effects in children. Remicade is approved to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in adults as well as children ages 6 years and older. Some side effects occurred more often in children than adults in clinical studies of the drug. These side effects included:

Is remicade a serious drug?

Remicade may cause serious side effects, although this isn’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, refer to the Remicade Medication Guide.

Does remicade cause sinus infections?

Remicade can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Remicade in clinical studies: upper respiratory infection, such as a sinus infection or sore throat. headache. cough.

Why do doctors discourage medication holidays?

Doctors often discourage a “medication holiday,” because it can cause IBD symptoms to return or worsen. A 2012 study found that almost half of the patients who ceased Remicade after achieving remission relapsed within a year.

Does remicade lose effectiveness?

When Remicade loses effectiveness. Remicade can begin to lose effectiveness for several reasons. For one, my Crohn’s could be worsening because I’ve been on Remicade for more than 12 years. My gastroenterologist warned me the medication could lose effectiveness over time.

Is Remicade a therapeutic drug?

If the Prometheus test reports a normal trough level of Remicade with little to no antibodies present, and the patient’s condition doesn ’t stabilize or improve, then the medication is no longer therapeutic. The only recourse for the patient is to begin a new treatment.

Does Remicade suppress TNF-A?

Remicade suppresses the immune response generated by TNF-a, thereby reducing inflammation. In turn, the body might recognize the medication as an antigen and begin producing anti-infliximab antibodies. To find out if I had developed antibodies, my doctor did two things.

Can antibodies cause remicade?

Antibodies or an insufficient dosage can result in a below-normal Remicade level. To counteract and balance the antibodies, the doctor might increase the dose, frequency, or both before deciding to switch to a different medication. Increasing the dose or frequency of treatment can also restore efficacy and maintain remission.

What is remicade used for?

Remicade is a prescription medication that’s used to treat: ankylosing spondylitis in adults. Crohn’s disease in adults and children. plaque psoriasis in adults. psoriatic arthritis in adults. rheumatoid arthritis in adults. ulcerative colitis in adults and children. This article describes the dosages of Remicade, including its form, strength, ...

Where can I get remicade?

You’ll receive Remicade infusions at your doctor’s office or an infusion clinic. Your doctor will explain the infusion process (sometimes called the infusion protocol) so you know what to expect when receiving the drug. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website to learn more about how Remicade is given.

How much Remicade should I take for ankylosing spondylitis?

Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis. When prescribed to treat ankylosing spondylitis in adults, the recommended starting dose of Remicade is 5 mg/kg of body weight. This is given for your first dose and the doses you’ll receive at weeks 2 and 6. After that, you’ll receive 5 mg/kg every 6 weeks.

How much Remicade should I take for psoriatic arthritis?

The recommended dosage level for Remicade is the same when used to treat the following conditions in adults: For each of these conditions, your starting dose of Remicade is 5 mg per kg (mg/kg) of body weight.

Can you take premedications with remicade?

Receiving premedications with Remicade. If you experience infusion side effects such as fever or itchy skin, your doctor may slow down your infusion. They may also give you certain medications, called premedications, before your next Remicade infusion to lower your risk for these side effects.

Is remicade safe for Crohn's disease?

Yes, Remicade is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Remicade is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you ll use it long term. However, if you’re an adult with Crohn’s disease that doesn’t respond to Remicade by week 14, your doctor may switch you to a different medication.

Can you give yourself remicade?

If your doctor recommends Remicade for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Remember, you won’t give yourself Remicade doses. You’ll receive the infusions at your doctor’s office or an infusion clinic. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Can you take methotrexate with infliximab?

There are several considerations in using methotrexate with infliximab. Methotrexate may decrease the chance of developing blocking antibodies against the infused drug, thus prolonging the period of time that someone can take the medication.

Can you take Remicade with Methotrexate?

Answer. In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis Remicade (infliximab) is given along with Methotrexate. In other conditions such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, methotrexate may not be used as much. There are several considerations in using methotrexate with infliximab.

Can MTX be used in place of methotrexate?

Other drugs however have been used with infliximab in place of methotrexate including leflunomide, sulfasalazine, and azathioprine.

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