Infliximab

Pronunciation: in-FLIX-i-mab
Generic Name: Infliximab
Brand Name: Remicade

Patients who use Infliximab have an increased risk of developing serious and sometimes fatal infections (eg, bacterial, viral, or fungal infections; tuberculosis [TB]). Most patients who developed these infections were taking medicines that suppressed their immune systems (eg, methotrexate, corticosteroids).

TB may be caused by a new infection or by reactivation of a previous infection. You should be tested for TB infection before you start Infliximab. If you have a TB infection, treatment for TB should be started before you begin Infliximab. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, persistent cough or sore throat, unusual vaginal discharge, painful or frequent urination, or a persistent feeling of being unwell. Tell your doctor if you have a history of chronic or recurrent infections.

Infliximab is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. Lymphoma and other types of cancer have been reported in children and teenagers treated with TNF blockers. This has been fatal in some cases. Talk with your doctor for more information.

A rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) has rarely occurred in teenagers and young adults using TNF blockers, including Infliximab, to treat Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. These cases have been fatal. Patients who developed this cancer were using Infliximab along with certain other medicines (azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine). Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of cancer.

Infliximab is used for:

Treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when used along with another medicine (methotrexate). It is also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and certain types of skin psoriasis (eg, plaque psoriasis). Infliximab is used to treat moderate to severe Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis in certain patients who have not received relief from other treatments. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody. It works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called TNF. This may reduce the inflammation and immune responses caused by TNF.

Do NOT use Infliximab if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Infliximab, including mouse-derived (murine) proteins


• you have moderate to severe heart failure, unless your doctor has examined you and decided that you are able to take Infliximab. Certain doses of Infliximab should not be used in patients who have moderate to severe heart failure. Ask your doctor if you have questions about this information


• you have an active infection


• you are taking abatacept, an interleukin-1 blocker (eg, anakinra), or tocilizumab

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Infliximab:

Some medical conditions may interact with Infliximab. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have any type of infection, including bacterial or viral infection, fungal infection (eg, coccidiomycosis, histoplasmosis), TB infection, skin infection, or open cuts or sores on your body


• if you have a history of chronic or recurrent infections, TB or a positive TB skin test, or if you have recently been around someone who has had TB


• if you have conditions that may increase your risk of infection (eg, diabetes) or if you have traveled to or lived in an area where TB or other certain infections (eg, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis) are common


• if you have a history of immune system problems (eg, weakened immune system), blood problems, bone marrow problems, or lymphoma or other cancers


• if you have a history of liver problems (eg, hepatitis B), liver problems caused by drinking alcohol (alcoholic hepatitis), or hepatitis B virus reactivation when taking Infliximab or other TNF blockers


• if you have any numbness or tingling or a disease that affects your nervous system (eg, multiple sclerosis [MS], Guillain-Barré syndrome, seizures)


• if you have heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure)


• if you have had phototherapy to treat psoriasis or other skin conditions


• if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine


• if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or a history of smoking


• if you have been taking another medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Infliximab. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), costimulation modulators (eg, abatacept), immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), interleukin-1 blockers (eg, anakinra), methotrexate, or tocilizumab because the risk of serious infections may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Infliximab may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Infliximab:

Use Infliximab as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Infliximab comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Infliximab refilled.


• Infliximab is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Infliximab at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Infliximab. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• You may receive other medicines before each treatment with Infliximab to decrease the chance of an infusion-related reaction. Discuss any questions with your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Infliximab, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Infliximab.

Important safety information:

• Infliximab may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Infliximab with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are using Infliximab. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• Before you use Infliximab, discuss your vaccination history with your doctor to be sure that you are up to date on vaccinations.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Infliximab before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Infliximab may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. If you develop a fever, feel very tired, have a cough, or have flu-like symptoms, these could be signs that you may be getting an infection. If any of these symptoms occur, contact your doctor at once.


• Infliximab may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Infliximab may increase the risk of developing a certain type of blood cancer (lymphoma) or other types of cancer. The risk may increase if you have used Infliximab for a long time. Tell your doctor if you have ever had lymphoma or another cancer. Contact your doctor right away if any symptoms appear, such as unusual lumps or swelling (eg, in your armpit, groin, or neck), night sweats, recurring fever, unusual tiredness, unexplained cough or breathlessness, persistent unexplained itching, or unexplained weight loss.


• New or worsening nervous system disorders (eg, MS, Guillain-Barré syndrome, seizures) have occurred in patients who take Infliximab. Tell your doctor if you have a disease that affects your nervous system. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Some patients who use Infliximab have developed new or worsening psoriasis. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any new or worsening skin problems (eg, red, flaky, or itchy skin patches).


• Rarely, severe liver problems have occurred with the use of Infliximab. These liver problems may occur from 2 weeks to more than a year after starting Infliximab. Contact your doctor right away if you develop dark urine, pale stools, severe or persistent stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.


• Some patients receiving Infliximab have experienced an allergic reaction. Some allergic reactions have been severe. If such a reaction occurs, it has usually happened during treatment with Infliximab or within 2 hours after treatment. However, allergic reactions have also occurred up to 12 days after the use of Infliximab. Tell your doctor if symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, hives, headache, dizziness, chest pain, muscle or joint pain, swelling, sore throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing occur.


• Rarely, temporary vision loss or a heart attack have been reported during treatment with Infliximab or within 2 hours after treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you experience vision loss or other vision changes; chest pain; numbness of an arm or leg; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; or fainting.


• Infliximab may interfere with certain lab tests, including tests for TB infection. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Infliximab.


• Lab tests, including TB, liver function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Infliximab. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Infliximab with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the risk of infection.


• Caution is advised when using Infliximab in CHILDREN; they may be more likely to develop certain side effects. These effects may include certain blood problems (eg, anemia, low white blood cell levels), blood in the stool, flushing, bone fracture, certain types of infection, and certain allergic reactions. Cases of unusual cancer have occurred in children and teenagers using Infliximab.


• Infliximab should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Infliximab can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Infliximab while you are pregnant. It is not known if Infliximab is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Infliximab.

Possible side effects of Infliximab:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; headache; mild stomach pain or upset; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; runny or stuffy nose; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody, black, or tarry stools; butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks; change in the amount of urine produced; change in the appearance of a mole; chest pain; dark urine; dizziness; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; flushing; joint or muscle pain; loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; numbness or tingling of the skin, arms, or legs; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent headache; severe or persistent stomach or back pain; shortness of breath; sudden, unexplained weight gain or loss; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, legs, feet, or ankles; symptoms of infection (eg, fever or chills, painful or frequent urination, persistent cough or sore throat, flu-like symptoms, persistent feeling of being unwell, unusual vaginal discharge or odor, white patches in the mouth, red or painful skin); trouble swallowing; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps; unusual skin growths or other skin changes; unusual tiredness or weakness; very pale skin; vision changes; weakness in the arms or legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Infliximab side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Infliximab:

Infliximab is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Infliximab at home, store Infliximab as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Infliximab out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Infliximab, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Infliximab is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Infliximab. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Infliximab resources

• Infliximab Side Effects (in more detail)
• Infliximab Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Infliximab Drug Interactions
• Infliximab Support Group
• 55 Reviews for Infliximab - Add your own review/rating

• Infliximab Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Infliximab Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Remicade Consumer Overview


• Remicade Prescribing Information (FDA)


• infliximab Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Infliximab with other medications

• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Behcet's Disease
• Bullous Pemphigoid
• Celiac Disease
• Cogan's Syndrome
• Crohn's Disease
• Crohn's Disease, Acute
• Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
• Giant Cell Arteritis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Kawasaki Disease
• Neurosarcoidosis
• Pemphigoid
• Pemphigus
• Polychondritis
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Pyoderma Gangrenosum
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• SAPHO Syndrome
• Sarcoidosis
• Sjogren's Syndrome
• Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis
• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Uveitis