What is remicade

The nurse will prep your arm by sterilizing the area with rubbing alcohol. The IV needle will be inserted and held in place with tape. Remicade will be infused into your bloodstream. Vital signs will be monitored every 30 minutes during the infusion. This process usually takes about two hours.

The Remicade infusion process does not require sedation, so you should be able to resume your daily activities after treatment. Rarely other, more serious side effects can occur. Make sure you review all of the potential side effects with your physician before undergoing Remicade treatment. Heart failure or any heart condition.

Your doctor will test you for HBV. If your baby receives a live vaccine within 6 months after birth, your baby may develop infections with serious complications that can lead to death. Recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine.

You should tell your doctor right away if you have any of the signs listed below: Serious infections like TB, blood infections, pneumonia —fever, tiredness, cough, flu-like symptoms, or warm, red or painful skin or any open sores.

Lymphoma, or any other cancers in adults and children. Skin cancer —any changes in or growths on your skin. Cervical cancer —your doctor may recommend that you be regularly screened. Some women with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly those over 60, have developed cervical cancer. Heart failure —new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.

Liver injury —jaundice yellow skin and eyes , dark brown urine, pain on the right side of your stomach area, fever, or severe tiredness. Nervous system disorders —changes in your vision, numbness or tingling in any part of your body, seizures, or weakness in your arms or legs. Stroke within 24 hours of infusion —numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination; or a sudden, severe headache.

Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. However, Remicade is prescribed with methotrexate for many autoimmune diseases conditions in which your immune system attacks your body by mistake. These include rheumatoid arthritis RA and psoriatic arthritis. In fact, taking methotrexate with Remicade may lower the risk of developing antibodies to Remicade.

Antibodies are immune system proteins that attack substances, such as Remicade, and can make them less effective. Methotrexate may also increase how much Remicade circulates through your body. In both cases, Remicade may be more effective. Taking Remicade with certain biologic medications drugs made from living organisms can further weaken your immune system. This increases your risk for serious infections. They may recommend other treatment options.

If you need a live vaccine, get it before you start your Remicade treatment. Babies exposed to Remicade before birth and who get vaccines too soon can have a higher risk for infections, serious complications, or death. Taking Remicade with warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven may affect how quickly your body metabolizes breaks down warfarin. This could change how effective warfarin is at helping prevent blood clots. You may need a different dose of warfarin.

Taking Remicade with theophylline Theocron, Theo, others may affect how your body metabolizes breaks down theophylline. This could change how safe and effective theophylline will be. You may need a different dose of theophylline. Taking Remicade with cyclosporine Restasis , Sandimmune, others may affect how your body metabolizes breaks down cyclosporine.

This could change how safe and effective cyclosporine will be. You may need a different dose of cyclosporine. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Remicade. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Remicade, talk with your doctor.

Remicade is used to treat certain autoimmune diseases. Remicade blocks the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-alpha.

Most people with autoimmune diseases have higher-than-normal levels of TNF-alpha and too much inflammation. Remicade starts to affect your immune system right away.

But you may not see your symptoms improve for several days to weeks. But you may have more symptoms of your condition or they may worsen if you stop taking Remicade.

In a small study , researchers tested the outcomes of stopping Remicade treatment. They found that They were in clinical remission free from symptoms at the time they stopped using Remicade.

People stayed symptom free for an average of 1 year after they stopped taking Remicade. If you have questions about what to expect when your doctor ends your Remicade treatment, talk with them. Monoclonal antibodies only block the activity of certain proteins in the body. Chemotherapy, on the other hand, is a chemical drug that destroys rapidly growing cells throughout the body.

Chemotherapy medications affect many types of cells and organs. This is different from the very specific actions of monoclonal antibodies, such as Remicade. Some of the cancers included lymphoma cancer of the lymphatic system , skin cancer , and cervical cancer. Many of the cases occurred in younger males, with the exception of cervical cancer. However, in a review of multiple studies , the evidence for cancer risk was conflicting.

Analyses of studies and registries that collect information from larger populations have also had conflicting results. Remicade may become less effective for you over time. Antibodies are immune system proteins that fight foreign substances, including medications such as Remicade.

Remicade may also stop working for a time because of stress , dietary choices, or other health conditions. Yes and no. You can get inactive not live vaccines while taking Remicade. Inactive vaccines are made from germs that have been killed. Many of the vaccines that doctors recommend are inactive. Live vaccines are made from weakened forms of germs.

Examples of live vaccines to avoid while taking Remicade include the measles, mumps, and rubella MMR vaccine and the yellow fever vaccine.

This drug has boxed warnings. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Serious infections. People who take Remicade have an increased risk for serious infections that may lead to a hospital stay or death. These include tuberculosis TB , fungal infections throughout the body, and other bacterial and viral infections. Before you start taking Remicade, your doctor will test you for TB and monitor you for it during your treatment.

If you develop a serious infection while using Remicade, your doctor will have you stop taking the drug. Certain cancers, including lymphoma cancer of the lymphatic system and skin cancer , have been reported in people who took Remicade or other medications called tumor necrosis factor TNF blockers. Remicade is a TNF blocker. Some of the cases that occurred in children and teens were fatal. One specific kind of lymphoma was hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma.

Nearly all of them were also taking a TNF blocker with the drugs azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. Before taking Remicade, talk with your doctor about your health history. Remicade may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These include:. Remicade is a monoclonal antibody that binds to tumor necrosis factor-alpha ligand and prevents it from binding to receptors. This results in decreased downstream immune system activation, including induction, migration, and activity of cytokines and immune system proteins and cells.

Distribution is primarily in the vasculature. Metabolism is expected to occur via catabolism to smaller peptides and amino acids. The median terminal half-life of Remicade is 7. There is no evidence of systemic accumulation following repeated doses, but clearance is increased in the presence of anti-infliximab antibodies. If storing vials at room temperature, the new expiration date should be written on the carton. Do not return the vials to the refrigerator. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication.

The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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Remicade infliximab. What is Remicade? Remicade generic or biosimilar. Remicade side effects. Remicade antibodies. Remicade cost. Remicade dosage. Alternatives to Remicade. Remicade vs. Remicade uses. Remicade and pregnancy. Remicade and birth control. Remicade and breastfeeding. Remicade use with other drugs. Remicade and alcohol. Remicade interactions. How Remicade works. Common questions about Remicade. Remicade precautions.

Professional information for Remicade. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3.

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