Manufacturer: Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Salt Composition : Infliximab(100mg)
Remicade Injection is given as an infusion (slow drip) into a vein under the supervision of a doctor. You will be monitored while you are given this medicine. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your symptoms. Make sure that you turn up for all your injections as per the schedule advised by your doctor. Taking this medicine regularly will greatly help to relieve your symptoms.
The most common side effects seen with this medicine include headache, sinus inflammation, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal pain, and pharyngitis (pain or irritation in the throat). Some people may experience fever, chills, sweating, etc. due to an infusion reaction while this medicine is administered. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects persist or bother you. You may get infections more easily when you are being treated with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any symptoms of an infection like fever, cough, rash, loose stools, or flu-like symptoms.
Before the start of treatment, let your doctor know if you have heart failure or tuberculosis or another serious infection like pneumonia or if you the hepatitis B virus. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before using this medicine. Some other medicines may react with this medicine so talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking as well. During treatment, your doctor will advise some tests to monitor your blood cell counts and track your progress.
Remicade Injection is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a protein in immune system called TNF (tumor necrosis factor) that causes inflammation (pain and swelling) in joints.
Infliximab pharmacokinetics are similar to those of other monoclonal antibodies, notably with an elimination half-life of approximately 3 weeks. Both body weight and sex were found to influence infliximab pharmacokinetics, and its clearance increased thrice in the presence of ATI.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Remicade
Headache
Sinus inflammation
Upper respiratory tract infection
Infusion reaction
Abdominal pain
Sore throat
Heart failure (NYHA class III/IV) - According to the American Heart Association, TNF inhibitors may cause myocardial toxicity or exacerbate the underlying myocardial dysfunction.
Previous hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab.
Current severe infection (sepsis, tuberculosis)
Active infection.
Remicade Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Consuming alcohol with Remicade Injection does not cause any harmful side effects.
Remicade Injection should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from her body.
Crohn disease including pediatric Crohn disease.
Ulcerative colitis including pediatric ulcerative colitis.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis.
Psoriatic arthritis.
Plaque psoriasis.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Drug-Drug Interaction: INFLIXIMAB may interact with other immunosuppressants (certolizumab, tocilizumab, rituximab), medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (anakinra), live vaccines, and other TNF inhibitors (abatacept).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: INFLIXIMAB should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, weak immune system (HIV), hepatitis B, cancer, and infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
TOCILIZUMAB
ABATACEPT
ANAKINRA
CERTOLIZUMAB
Kindly do not self administer.
Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze.
If you miss a dose of Remicade Injection, please consult your doctor.\n
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Remicade Injection is injected into a vein (intravenous infusion) under the supervision of a doctor. It is usually administered at 0, 2, 6 weeks and then once every 8 weeks.
It may take some time before you start to feel better after getting this medicine. However, it is important that you do not miss any dose and show up for your next infusion as per the schedule advised by your doctor.
Remicade Injection can make it difficult for your body to fight infections. Inform your doctor if you notice any fever, cough, runny nose, rash, loose stools or flu-like symptoms.
Inform your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis or if you have been in close contact with someone who has or had tuberculosis. Your doctor may advise you certain tests to screen for tuberculosis before starting treatment with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have or ever had the hepatitis B virus infection. Your doctor may test you for hepatitis B virus before starting treatment with this medicine.
You may be advised regular blood tests to monitor blood counts while taking this medication.
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Q. Is Remicade Injection an immunosuppressant?
Yes, Remicade Injection is a type of immunosuppressant drug. It suppresses inflammation (pain and swelling) caused by your immune system in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, etc. It works by recognizing and binding to certain special proteins in the body known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) which is responsible for causing inflammation. Blocking the TNF alpha helps suppress inflammation, pain and swelling.
Q. Is Remicade Injection dangerous?
Remicade Injection acts on the immune system and may reduce your ability to fight infections. This may increase the risk of getting serious infections that may spread throughout the body. These infections may be life threatening and may need to be treated in a hospital. Therefore your doctor will monitor you for any infection before starting and during your treatment. Inform your doctor if you develop a fever or any other sign of infection while taking Remicade Injection. Furthermore, there are some reports which suggest that Remicade Injection may increase the risk of some types of cancer. However, remember that your doctor has prescribed this medicine to you because he has judged the benefits to you to be greater than any potential risks. Consult with your doctor if you have any further concerns.
Q. How do I take Remicade Injection?
You will have to visit the hospital to get this medicine whenever you have a dose scheduled. Remicade Injection is an intravenous infusion that is given via a drip into a vein in your arm over a two hour period under the supervision of a healthcare professional. After your first treatment, you will be given a second infusion after 2 weeks and third infusion 4 weeks later. After that, usually another infusion is given in every 8 weeks. Please consult your doctor to know the schedule that suits your condition best.
Q. Can Remicade Injection cause liver damage?
Yes, in rare cases the liver may be affected. Contact your doctor in case you experience fever, dark brown-colored urine, extreme tiredness (severe fatigue) and pain on the right side of your stomach area (right-sided abdominal pain). You must also inform your doctor if you develop jaundice (skin and eyes turn yellow).
