Infliximab
Description
Infliximab is a medicine used alone or in combination with other medicines to relieve the symptoms of conditions where the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body causing pain, swelling, and damage (Auto-immune disorders). It is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis etc.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Infliximab
- Infections
- Decrease in blood cell count
- Headache
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Heart Rhythm disorders
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Skin Reactions
- Injection site reactions
Uses of Infliximab
What is it prescribed for?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Chronic plaque psoriasis
- Crohn's Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after assessing the condition and evaluating the risks and benefits associated with the use of this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to infliximab, any murine proteins, or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Active infections
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from active, severe infections due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after assessing the condition and evaluating the risks and benefits associated with the use of this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Autoimmune disorders
Use of this medicine may result in the formation of autoantibodies and may cause a lupus-like syndrome. Treatment with this medicine should be discontinued immediately in such cases.
Serious allergic reactions
Use of this medicine may cause serious and life-threatening allergic reactions in some people. Discontinue the use of this medicine immediately if any allergic reactions occur.
Infections
Use of this medicine may affect the immune system, making you susceptible to opportunistic infections from a wide variety of pathogens. Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have an active infection. If a serious infection develops, consult your doctor immediately and discontinue the use of this medicine based on the doctor's advice.
Hepatitis B virus reactivation
Use of this medicine may increase the risk of reactivation of hepatitis b virus in patients who are chronic carriers. Close clinical monitoring is advised, if the patient is identified as a carrier of the virus, during treatment as well as for several months after the use of this medicine. If the hepatitis B infection is reactivated during treatment, the treatment should be discontinued and appropriate antiviral therapy should be initiated.
Hematological reactions
Use of this medicine may cause blood cell component disorders. Hence, close monitoring of hematological function is advised during treatment with this medicine. Therapy should be stopped if any serious blood cell component abnormality is identified.
Heart failure
Use of this medicine has been associated with worsening of congestive heart failure as well as the new onset of heart failure in some rare cases. Hence, appropriate clinical monitoring is advised during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Immunization
Use of live vaccines should be avoided while a patient is being treated with this medicine. Special precaution is advised for pediatric patients.
Neurological reactions
Use of this medicine may cause neurological problems and exacerbate the symptoms of nervous system disorders. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a preexisting nervous system disorder like multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Deflazacort
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Zidovudine
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Infections
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of recurrent infections due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition. Initiation of therapy with this medicine in patients with active infections is not recommended. Patients susceptible to infections should be monitored closely during treatment with this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Malignancies
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of malignancies. It should also be used with caution in patients who develop malignancies during treatment since it may worsen the patient's condition. These patients may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Neurological disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with an active neurological disorder since the risk of worsening of the patient's condition is significantly high. It is recommended to discontinue the use of this medicine if neurological disorders develop during the treatment course. An alternative treatment option should be considered in such cases based on the clinical condition.
Tuberculosis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients who have previously been treated for latent or active tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis therapy should be initiated prior to therapy with this medicine if an active infection is confirmed. Appropriate tests should be conducted for the presence of latent tuberculosis in patients before initiating therapy with this medicine.
Heart Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from diseases of the heart due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function since it may worsen the condition. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Hepatitis B
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of hepatitis B infection due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition. It is recommended to closely monitor patients with evidence of prior hepatitis B infection for signs and symptoms of reactivation. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition. If hepatitis B infection is reactivated, discontinuation of treatment with this medicine and initiation of antiviral therapy is recommended.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Your dose regimen and frequency of administration is likely to vary based on the condition being treated. Consult your doctor immediately if you develop any signs and symptoms of an infection.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking the action of certain specific substances in the body that causes inflammation and other associated complications.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
TNF alfa inhibitors, Antirheumatics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
Infliximab - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 1 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.