• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is infliximab?
Infliximab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation. Infliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis (Crohn's disease), and ankylosing spondylitis. Infliximab is also used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin). Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective. Infliximab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of infliximab?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with infliximab. Contact your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

• fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms weight loss;

• chest pain, ongoing cough, coughing up blood; or

• easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, unusual weakness.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

• swelling of your ankles or feet;

• red, purple, or scaly skin rash, hair loss, joint or muscle pain, mouth sores;

• numbness or tingling;

• weak feeling in your arms or legs; or

• problems with vision;

• seizure (convulsions);

• pain or burning when you urinate; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• stuffy nose, sinus pain;

• stomach pain;

• mild skin rash; or

• headache.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I use infliximab?
Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections. Infliximab is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. This medicine is usually given at intervals of 2 to 8 weeks. Infliximab must be injected slowly, over about 2 hours. Your doctor may wish to observe you after the injection to make sure the medicine has not caused any serious side effects.

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What is the most important information I should know about infliximab?
Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections. Treatment with infliximab may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer or autoimmune disorders (such as a lupus-like syndrome). Talk with your doctor about your individual risk. Infliximab can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of infliximab.

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What other drugs will affect infliximab?
There may be other drugs that can affect infliximab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Infliximab has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with infliximab. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Infliximab is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

As of May 2000, the manufacturer (Centocor) has reported data on 27 women who were exposed to infliximab during the first trimester of pregnancy or immediately prior. There were three reports of miscarriages. One woman underwent an elective abortion (for personal reasons). One mother delivered a child with tetralogy of Fallot after a first trimester exposure to infliximab. One baby was born at week 37 and five babies were born at full term. A case has also been reported of a 26-year-old with a six-year history of colonic Crohn's disease who became pregnant while receiving infliximab infusions. She delivered her baby prematurely at week 24 of conception with a birth weight of 681 grams. The neonate had intracerebral and intrapulmonary bleeding, was disconnected from life support on day 3, and died shortly thereafter.

There are no data on the excretion of infliximab into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Doses >5 mg/kg in patients with moderate or severe heart failure. (See Cardiovascular Effects under Cautions.)
• Known hypersensitivity to infliximab, murine proteins, or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What does my medication look like?
Infliximab is available with a prescription under the brand name Remicade. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Remicade 100 mg/20 mL vial

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of infliximab is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using infliximab?
You should not use this medication if you have heart failure, or if you are also being treated with anakinra (Kineret). Before using infliximab, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: an active or recent infection; a history of tuberculosis; hepatitis B; congestive heart failure; epilepsy or other seizure disorder; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); a history of cancer; or a disease that affects the nerves or muscles, such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre syndrome.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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