Get Informed: Remicade
Active Ingredient(s)
Infliximab
What does it do?
This product is used for a variety of autoimmune disorders, specifically: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's disease, anklyosing spondylitis, and psoriasis. It works by binding and inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha which reduces inflammation and alters the immune response.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 2:00 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Remicade
- Infliximab
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to an increased risk of serious and potentially fatal infections, including tuberculosis. This product also has a black box warning relating to an increased risk of potentially fatal Hepatospenic Lymphoma when used in adolescents or young adults with Crohn's.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 24 Aug 1998
- Est US Patients*
- 228,400
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Remicade or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Remicade Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Remicade used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 1,500 patients that use Remicade (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 74% | 
|
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | 11% | 
|
| Lupus | 5% | 
|
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 5% |
|
| Ulcerative Colitis | 5% | 
|
| Behcet's Disease | 5% |
|
How well does Remicade work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 1,500 users taking Remicade (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 78%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Remicade outweigh the bad things.
- 5%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Remicade.
Common Side Effects of Remicade
iGuard regularly polls our more than 1,500 users taking Remicade (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
43% of patients experience side-effects on Remicade
10% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Remicade
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Dizziness
-
Headache
-
Allergic Reaction
-
Increased Infections
-
Sweating
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Itch/Rash
-
FLU-Like Symptoms
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Remicade (Infliximab) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I just started taking Remicade for AS and psoriatic arthritis (and iritis which is now chronic). The first treatment made everything almost go away - all of the spinal pain, the swelling and pain in the hands and the feet, the knees shoulders and hips. And my iritis-inflamed eye felt normal. Great energy, too - completely wiped out my fatigue. Lasted for four whole days, then I crashed. That's supposedly very common.
Not such a dramatic reaction from the second infusion - so we'll see.
50 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-20 14:00:09
Question/Comment:
I had a previous post that a few people replied to recently so thank you for that. I have been on Immuran for a few months and although it has helped me some what I am going to start on Remicade. I have not had any Fistula's since I started on Immuran but I had an abscess that was operated on and has not healed due to my perianal crohns.
Did anyone have a similar problem?
When you went on Remicade did it help heal your fistula or cavity left from an abscess/fistula?
I would be grateful for any help.
28yr old male
29 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-15 15:56:00
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Abscesses in Crohn's disease can take weeks if not longer to heal. Remicade is indicated to treat Crohn's disease that has not responded to conventional therapy. It has been shown to reduce the number of fistulas, maintain fistula closure, and extend remission. It may help heal the abscess. However, many times abscesses need to be drained and treated repeatedly in Crohn's. Your doctor should make sure you do not have any active infections before starting the Remicade.
Posted: 2009-09-24 00:07:05
Question/Comment:
Iam 57 yrs old female suffering from rheumatiod arthritis and on infliximab for 30 months . I had better life after taking this treatment along with predinisole and methotroxate. Since 4 months i stopped methotyroxate and started with Arava orally My problem since 6months i get cellulitis on my leg and swelling on my thigh and subside without ANY TREATMENT.since three months I get numbness on my feet right side of the face. recently I had swelling on the left shoulder , left side of the neck and under the tongue. I had to attend emergency and received hydrocortisone.i felt better. swelling of the face is subsiding without any teratment.I approached rheumatologist but i did not get satisfactory answer as to what i am suffering from.any advice to give?
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-17 12:28:13
Question/Comment:
My specialist wants to try me on Remicade or Imuran. I had a history of Ulcerative Colitis. I have an ileostomy with an internal pouch constructed inside which I can not use at the moment. I have recently got Fistula's which are constanly returning around the anal area which they say could be crohn's. My specialist is going to try me on REMICADE or IMURAN to hopefully resolve my problem. Has anyone tried REMICADE or IMURAN for these problems (Fistula's)....Have they worked and what side effects did you get if any from the drugs?
Any help would do.
28 yr old male
29 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-04-20 12:50:59
Answer/Reply:
I am Jennifer--I have Crohn's with Rectal Fistulas....I have had 6 rectal surgeries, and one major bowel resection...I have been on Remicade since 1999. I take Remicade high level of 400mg every 4 weeks along with Methotrexate and Folic Acid weekly. Remicade along with rectal creams and sits baths seem to keep my fistulas at bay most of the time, that is about the only thing that helps...but at this point, it does not do much for the Crohn's per say.... any other questions, please feel free to email me personally---Jennifer
jennyfauth@hotmail.com
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-04-23 20:10:16
Answer/Reply:
My husband has crohn's disease and is on remicade. He has at one point been on remicade and imuran at the same time. He also has problems with the fistula's. The remicade has helped to heal the ulcers and has somewhat helped with the fistulas but has not gotten rid of them. Although it has done wonders for the symptoms of crohn's(diahrea). Theonly side effects he has experienced are the weakened immune system and occasionally he will have an allergic reaction while taking the infusion and they give him benadryl which alleviates the allergy. I think that remicade is a good choice for crohn's or fistulas in your case. Good luck and always remember, you are not alone in the fight.
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-01 00:22:23
Answer/Reply:
Hi,
I put up the Question, thanks for the reply. I wil probably be put on imuran first to see how it goes. how did your husband get on with Imuran. Did he ever take it on its own(without remicade). If you have any info it would help!!!
Thanks again for the reply
28 yr old male
29 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-04 16:30:09
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Remicade for a very long time with absolute success --compared to before Remicade.
I had a colostomy with anastomosis at 28; and 12 years later, a ileostomy with an external pouch for four months to allow an pouch internal pouch to take --which I have had since 2002.
Almost immediatley after the last surgery I began with perianal problems, which Remicade did away with.
I have not moved away from Remicade because it is still working, it is done at a medical facility, every eight weeks, and covered by most insurances as medical care --which does not happen with othe medications which are covered as overt the counter, or OTC, making it more expensive.
Try it.
afmg99@hotmail.com
51 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-16 08:44:24
Answer/Reply:
YES !!! I have been on Remicade since 1997. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 1996 and with that came an anal fistula ~ it got so bad that I was ready to end it all. I had even tried surgery ~ which didn't work ~ Then my doctor suggested a "new" drug called Remicade. Remicade is a miracle and I haven't had 1 sign of fistula trouble since being on it. It's an easy 2 hour injection given right in the doctor's office and I have never once had any adverse reaction to the drug. Good Luck to you !! I am postive you will see awesome results.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-16 10:13:36
Answer/Reply:
28 yr old male,
I've had Fistula's in the past. I was on Immuran for a short time i ended up being allergic.
I'm currently taking Remicade every 6 weeks with great results. although i get a severe headache for a couple of days following the infusions. i've been having infusion's for 6 years now
I have crohns disease i to have a ileostomy. good luck i hope that i have been helpful.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-26 20:51:39
Question/Comment:
I have moderate/severe RA and I Have been on Remicade for about 2 years this has been the BEST! medication so far in the 10 years since I came down with RA. The only issue I have had with it is that it "crashes" and sometimes its ok and others it like I hit a brick wall and then got ran over. Over all I would have to say the quality of my life has been enriched with the addition of Remicade.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-07 20:16:16
Answer/Reply:
That's exactly the description I have been going through the last year. I have been on Remecade for a few years now and it has improved the quality of my life but off and on for maybe the last year I have not felt as good as I used to. I thought it must just be my imagination. I am glad to hear someone else has had the same experience. 53 year old female
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-27 14:35:18
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Remicade