Remicade

Remicade is used to help reduce the symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions that affect the joints, skin, or digestive system. Conditions that it is used to treat include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis. The medication comes in the form of an injection that is administered through an intravenous line at your healthcare provider's office. Potential side effects of Remicade include headaches, anemia, and coughing.

 

What Is Remicade?

Remicade® (infliximab) is a prescription medication approved to treat several inflammatory conditions that affect the joints, skin, and digestive system.
 

Who Makes Remicade?

Remicade is made by Centocor, Inc.
 

What Is Remicade Used For?

Specific uses of Remicade include reducing the signs and symptoms of the following conditions:
 
(Click Remicade Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses for the drug.)
 

How Does Remicade Work?

Remicade is part of a class of medicines known as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, or TNF inhibitors for short. As the name implies, Remicade blocks the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is involved in inflammation and other immune system functions.
 
People with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease often have higher levels of TNF-alpha. These high levels can cause inflammation and lead to problems. By blocking TNF-alpha, Remicade helps to relieve the symptoms of these conditions and, in some cases, prevent future damage from occurring. Keep in mind that Remicade does not cure these conditions and can only be used to help manage symptoms.
 

Effects of Remicade

Remicade has been studied in several clinical trials for the following conditions:
 
 
Remicade for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Clinical studies have shown that Remicade is effective at improving the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. People taking the drug showed greater improvements in their symptoms when compared to those not taking it.
 
Remicade for Crohn's Disease
Remicade was also studied for Crohn's disease treatment. In one study, up to 81 percent of those taking the drug showed improvement in Crohn's disease symptoms, compared to just 16 percent of those not taking it. The drug also increased the chance of remission, and people taking it were more likely to stop taking steroids for Crohn's disease.
 
Remicade was also shown to decrease the number of fistulas in people with Crohn's disease. Other studies have shown that the drug is safe and effective for treating Crohn's disease in children as young as six years old.
 
Remicade for Plaque Psoriasis
In clinical studies, Remicade has been shown to improve the symptoms of plaque psoriasis. In one study, up to 88 percent of those taking it showed a large improvement in their psoriasis symptoms, compared to just 6 percent of those not taking the drug.
 
Psoriatic Arthritis
In a study of Remicade for psoriatic arthritis, the drug was shown to reduce pain and other symptoms, including joint stiffness. In addition, the drug helped to lessen the physical joint changes associated with psoriatic arthritis when compared to those not taking it.
 
Remicade for Rheumatoid Arthritis
In clinical studies looking at Remicade as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment, the drug was shown to improve symptoms. In these studies, people took either methotrexate (Rheumatrex®) plus Remicade or methotrexate alone. More of the people taking the combination of drugs showed improvement when compared to the people taking just methotrexate. In these studies, people usually noticed improvement within the first two weeks of taking Remicade. Remicade also improved the physical joint changes that can occur with rheumatoid arthritis.
 
Remicade for Ulcerative Colitis
In studies of Remicade for ulcerative colitis treatment, the drug was shown to improve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and to promote healing of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. People taking the drug were also more likely to experience remission of ulcerative colitis when compared to those not taking it.
 

When and How to Take Remicade

General considerations for when and how to take Remicade include the following:
 
  • Remicade is administered intravenously (by IV). Depending on the condition being treated, it is usually administered more frequently at the beginning of the treatment, followed by doses every six to eight weeks.
     
  • It will take at least two hours to administer each dose of Remicade by IV. These intravenous infusions are usually given at your healthcare provider's office or an infusion center designed for people who need regular IV medications.
     
  • When used for rheumatoid arthritis, Remicade is intended to be taken with methotrexate, another medication that can be taken by mouth or by injection.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Remicade will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing Information for Remicade

The dose of Remicade that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age and weight
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
(Click Remicade Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Remicade

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Remicade. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, many people tolerate the medication quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of Remicade include but are not limited to:
 
  • Infections
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Coughing
  • Anemia
  • Heartburn or indigestion.
     
(Click Remicade Side Effects to learn more, including some of the potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Remicade

Remicade can potentially interact with a few medicines (see Remicade Drug Interactions).
 

Remicade: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Remicade if you have:
 
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
 
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Remicade Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose of Remicade?

The exact effects of an overdose with Remicade are not known, because there have been limited cases of people taking too much of it. In small studies, people who took large doses of Remicade did not have any problems.
 
(Click Remicade Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Remicade Be Stored?

Remicade is kept under refrigeration at your healthcare provider's office.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Remicade?

If you do not receive your Remicade IV infusion as scheduled, contact your healthcare provider to set up an infusion as soon as possible.
 

Strengths of Remicade

Remicade is available in 100-mg vials, which will be mixed and diluted by your healthcare provider before the infusion.
 

Generic Remicade

There is currently no generic Remicade licensed for sale (see Generic Remicade).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;