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General Medication Fact Sheet for Remicade
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Remicade |
| Generic Name | Infliximab |
| Boxed/Label Warning | Serious infections and malignancies. See full prescribing information for details. |
| Purpose | Treatment of autoimmune diseases, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. |
| Mechanism of Action | TNF-alpha inhibitor; binds to and neutralizes TNF-alpha, a protein that causes inflammation. |
| Dosage Forms | Intravenous (IV) infusion |
| Available Strengths | 100 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | Varies based on condition; typically administered every 6-8 weeks after initial loading doses. |
| Common Side Effects | Infusion reactions (fever, chills, itching), upper respiratory infections, headache, nausea, abdominal pain. |
| Serious Side Effects | Serious infections (tuberculosis, fungal infections), heart failure, liver injury, blood disorders, lupus-like syndrome, malignancies (lymphoma, skin cancer). |
| Drug Interactions | Other TNF-alpha inhibitors, immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine, methotrexate), live vaccines. |
| Important Notes | Patients should be screened for latent tuberculosis prior to starting Remicade. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Avoid live vaccines. |
| Storage | Store vials in the refrigerator (2-8°C). Do not freeze. |
| Missed Dose | Contact your healthcare provider immediately to reschedule your infusion appointment. |
| Alternatives | Humira (adalimumab), Enbrel (etanercept), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Stelara (ustekinumab) |
Remicade Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Humira (adalimumab) | TNF-alpha inhibitor | Administered subcutaneously; treats similar conditions to Remicade. |
| Enbrel (etanercept) | TNF-alpha inhibitor | Administered subcutaneously; also used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions. |
| Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) | TNF-alpha inhibitor | Administered subcutaneously; indicated for Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. |
| Stelara (ustekinumab) | IL-12 and IL-23 inhibitor | Used for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis; targets different inflammatory pathways than TNF-alpha inhibitors. |
Remicade Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Infusion reactions (fever, chills, itching) | Serious infections (tuberculosis, fungal infections) |
| Upper respiratory infections | Heart failure |
| Headache | Liver injury |
| Nausea | Blood disorders |
| Abdominal pain | Lupus-like syndrome |
| Skin rash | Malignancies (lymphoma, skin cancer) |
Remicade Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crohn’s Disease | 5 mg/kg | 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks | Administered as an IV infusion. |
| Ulcerative Colitis | 5 mg/kg | 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks | Administered as an IV infusion. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 3 mg/kg | 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks (may increase to 10 mg/kg) | Administered as an IV infusion with methotrexate. |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | 5 mg/kg | 5 mg/kg every 6 weeks | Administered as an IV infusion. |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 5 mg/kg | 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks | Administered as an IV infusion. |
| Plaque Psoriasis | 5 mg/kg | 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks | Administered as an IV infusion. |
