Remicade Uses (Cont.)

How Remicade Works

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. These high levels can cause inflammation and lead to problems. By blocking TNF-alpha, Remicade helps to relieve symptoms of these conditions and, in some cases, prevent future damage from occurring.
 

Is It Used in Children?

Remicade has been studied in children as young as six years old for Crohn's disease. However, the drug is not approved for any other use in children. Talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using Remicade in children.
 

Is Remicade Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Remicade for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, off-label uses for Remicade include treatment of the following conditions:
 
  • Behcet's disease (a condition involving chronic inflammation throughout the body)
  • Acute graft-versus-host disease (which may occur after a bone marrow transplant).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;