Health Library

Infliximab (By injection)

Infliximab (in-FLIX-i-mab)

Treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn disease, plaque psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis.

Brand Name(s):

Avsola, Inflectra, Remicade, Renflexis

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 2 hours.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor may also give you other medicines (including allergy medicine, fever medicine, steroid medicine) before or during your infusion.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines may affect how infliximab works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Abatacept, anakinra, cyclosporine, etanercept, theophylline, tocilizumab
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Medicine that weakens the immune system (including ciprofloxacin, methotrexate, metronidazole, aminosalicylates, steroids)
• Tell your doctor if you have had light treatment (phototherapy) for psoriasis.
• You should not receive a vaccine without your doctor's approval. A live virus vaccine could cause an infection. Children should be current on all vaccines before they start treatment with this medicine. If you received infliximab while pregnant, tell the baby's doctor.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, COPD, a bleeding disorder, blood or bone marrow problems, cancer, diabetes, or any type of infection. Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome or a similar nervous system disease, or frequent or serious infections (including tuberculosis or hepatitis B). Tell your doctor if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk for infections, which may be life-threatening
  • Increased risk of certain cancers (including lymphoma, skin cancer, cervical cancer)
  • Liver problems
  • Infusion reaction (including heart attack, stroke, changes in blood pressure, or heart rhythm problems)
  • New or worsening heart failure
  • Lupus-like syndrome
• You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis (TB) before you start receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive TB skin test or been exposed to TB.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, pain while urinating
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches
• Headache, lightheadedness, trouble breathing, cold sweat, bluish-colored skin
• Joint or muscle pain, swelling, trouble swallowing
• Seizures, numbness or tingling of the skin, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness
• Warm, red, swollen, or painful skin, blisters, skin sores

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea
• Redness, pain, or swelling where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024