(in FLIX ih mab) Brand: Remicade
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to infliximab, or if you are also being treated with anakinra (Kineret) or abatacept (Orencia).
• Till you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform trials to create certain you do not have tuberculosis or another infections.
• Using infliximab may magnify your risk of developing determined types of cancer, including a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma that can be fatal. This risk is higher in teenagers and young adults using infliximab with another medicines to treat Crohn's malady or ulcerative colitis. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
• Infliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can create it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being near others who are ill. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with infliximab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, flu symptoms, or pain, warmth, or redness of your skin.
• Infliximab reduces the effects of a stuff in the body that can reason inflammation.
• Infliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's malady, 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 another medicines have not been effective.
• Infliximab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to infliximab, or if you are also being treated with anakinra (Kineret) or abatacept (Orencia).
• Some people using infliximab have developed a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and it can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young adults using infliximab with another medicines to treat Crohn's malady or ulcerative colitis.
• However, people with autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's malady, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis) may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Conversation to your doctor about your individual risk.
• Using infliximab may magnify your risk of developing another types of cancer, including skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
• Speak 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.
• To create certain you can safely take infliximab, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· severe heart failure, or another heart problems;
· an active or last infection, open sores or skin wounds;
· diabetes;
· liver malady (especially hepatitis B);
· epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
· chronic obstructive pulmonary malady (COPD);
· a history of cancer;
· a weak immune system;
· numbness or tingling anywhere in your body;
· a malady that affects the nerves or muscles, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome;
· if you have recently been vaccinated with BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin); or
· if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.
• FDA pregnancy category B. It is not known whether infliximab will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• It is not known whether infliximab passes into breast milk. You must not breast-feed while you are receiving infliximab.
• Infliximab is not for use in children younger than 6 years old.
• Till you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform trials to create certain you do not have tuberculosis or another infections. Some infections are more likely to occur in determined areas of the world. Speak your doctor where you live and where you have recently traveled or plan to travel to during treatment.
• Infliximab is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be watched closely after receiving infliximab, to create certain the medication has not caused any serious side effects.
• While using infliximab, you may need frequent blood tests.
• Infliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can create it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being near others who are ill. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with infliximab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, flu symptoms, or pain, warmth, or redness of your skin.
• If you need surgery, speak the surgeon onward of time that you are using infliximab.
• If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medicine, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for different months after you stop using infliximab.
• Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your infliximab injection.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Avoid activities that may magnify your risk of bleeding injury.
• Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using infliximab. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from malady. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
• Create certain your baby is current on all vaccines till he or she starts treatment with infliximab.
• Some side effects may occur during the injection. Speak your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy or tingly, swollen, short of breath, or have a headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint pain, pain or tightness in your throat, chest pain, or trouble swallowing during the injection. Infusion reactions may also occur within 1 or 2 hours after injection.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using infliximab and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of lymphoma:
· fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness;
· feeling full after eating only a little amount;
· pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder;
· light bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart course; or
· nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Call your doctor at once if you have:
· signs of infection (fever, chills, flu symptoms, confusion, or pain, warmth, or redness of your skin);
· chest pain, ongoing cough, coughing up mucus or blood;
· shortness of breath with swelling of your ankles or foots, rapid weight gain;
· numbness or tingling;
· weak feeling in your arms or legs;
· problems with vision;
· neck stiffness, seizure (convulsions);
· pain or burning when you urinate; or
· red, purple, or scaly skin rash, hair loss, joint or muscle pain, mouth sores.
• General side effects may include:
· stuffy nose, sinus pain, headache;
· mild stomach pain;
· mild skin rash; or
· flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with infliximab, especially:
· azathioprine, mercaptopurine;
· methotrexate;
· phototherapy for psoriasis; or
· if you are also using "biologic" medications to treat your condition--adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, natalizumab, rituximab, tocilizumab, and others.
• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with infliximab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about infliximab.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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