Remicade (Infliximab) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Crohn's Disease »

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease (also spelled Crohn disease) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus. It is named after the physician who described the disease in 1932. It also is called granulomatous enteritis or colitis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis.

Crohn's disease is related closely to another chronic inflammatory condition that involves only the colon called ulcerative colitis. Together, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have no medical cure. Once the diseases begin, they tend to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse).

Inflammatory bowel disease affects approximately 500,000 to two million peop...

Read the Crohn's Disease article »

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Remicade Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using infliximab (Remicade)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to infliximab, if you have severe heart failure, or if you are also being treated with anakinra (Kineret).

Before using infliximab, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using infliximab, tell your doctor if you have:

an active or recent infection;
open sores or skin wounds;
hepatitis B;
congestive heart failure;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
a history of cancer;
a disease that affects the nerves or muscles, such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre syndrome;
if you have recently been vaccinated with BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin); or
if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.

FDA pregnancy category B. Infliximab is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether infliximab passes into breast milk. Do not use infliximab without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Infliximab is not for use in children younger than 6 years old.

Treatment with infliximab may increase your risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, colon, skin cancer, or lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). This risk may be greater in children and young adults. You may also develop an autoimmune disorder (such as a lupus-like syndrome). Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

How should I use infliximab (Remicade)?

Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.

Some infections are more likely to occur in certain areas of the world. Tell your doctor where you live and where you have recently traveled or plan to travel to during treatment.

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.

You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to mix the medicine, give the injection, and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using infliximab.

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.

If you have chronic hepatitis B, you may develop liver symptoms while using remicade. Your doctor may also want to check your liver function at regular visits while you are using remicade. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

If you store infliximab at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not use the medicine beyond the expiration date.

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