infliximab

What is the most important information I should know about infliximab?

Infliximab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Before you start using infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have certain infections.

What is infliximab?

Infliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and severe or disabling plaque psoriasis in adults.

Infliximab is also used to treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective.

Infliximab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving infliximab?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis (TB) or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis. Also tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an active infection (fever, cough, flu symptoms, open sores or skin wounds);
• heart failure or other heart problems;
• diabetes;
• a weak immune system;
• liver failure, hepatitis B, or other liver problems;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• heart problems;
• cancer;
• seizures;
• numbness or tingling anywhere in your body;
• a nerve-muscle disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome;
• phototherapy for psoriasis;
• vaccination with BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin); or
• if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.

Infliximab may cause other types of cancer, such as skin cancer or cancer of the cervix. Ask your doctor about this risk.

If you use infliximab while you are pregnant, make sure any doctor caring for your new baby knows that you used the medicine during pregnancy. Being exposed to infliximab in the womb could affect your baby's vaccination schedule during the first 6 months of life.

How is infliximab given?

Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.

Infliximab is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete.

You may be watched closely after receiving infliximab, to make sure the medicine has not caused any serious side effects.

Infliximab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis, and you may need frequent TB tests.

Serious infections may be more likely in older adults.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using infliximab.

If you've ever had hepatitis B, using infliximab can cause this virus to become active or get worse. You may need frequent liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while receiving infliximab?

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using infliximab, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

What are the possible side effects of infliximab?

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy or tingly, 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.

• skin changes, new growths on the skin;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
• delayed allergic reaction (up to 12 days after receiving infliximab) --fever, sore throat, trouble swallowing, headache, joint or muscle pain, skin rash, or swelling in your face or hands;
• liver problems --right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin or eyes, and not feeling well;
• lupus-like syndrome --joint pain or swelling, chest discomfort, feeling short of breath, skin rash on your cheeks or arms (worsens in sunlight);
• nerve problems --numbness or tingling, problems with vision, weakness in your arms or legs, seizure;
• new or worsening psoriasis --skin redness or scaly patches, raised bumps filled with pus;
• signs of heart failure --shortness of breath with swelling of your ankles or feet, rapid weight gain;
• signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness, trouble speaking or understanding what is said to you, problems with vision or balance, severe headache;
• signs of lymphoma --fever, night sweats, weight loss, stomach pain or swelling, chest pain, cough, trouble breathing, swollen glands (in your neck, armpits, or groin); or
• signs of tuberculosis --fever, cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling constantly tired.

Serious infections may be more likely in adults who are 65 years or older.

Common side effects may include:

• stuffy nose, sinus pain;
• fever, chills, sore throat;
• cough, chest pain, shortness of breath;
• high or low blood pressure;
• headache, feeling light-headed;
• rash, itching; or
• stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect infliximab?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• abatacept;
• anakinra;
• tocilizumab;
• any "biologic" medications to treat your condition--adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, natalizumab, rituximab, and others; or
• any other medicines to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or psoriasis.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect infliximab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about infliximab.