REMICADE® Infusion Therapy
REMICADE® infusion therapy is a prescription medication administered via IV to help treat a variety of autoimmune diseases. It is formulated to decrease inflammation and minimize symptoms associated with the patient’s chronic illness.
About REMICADE® Infusion Therapy
REMICADE (infliximab) is an FDA-approved, brand-name prescription medication that treats certain autoimmune diseases in adults and children.
When a patient lives with an autoimmune disease, their body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. REMICADE is a monoclonal antibody formula that blocks the actions of a natural substance in the body called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). This helps to decrease inflammation and weaken the immune system, which ultimately relieves symptoms and slows or stops disease progression.
Conditions Treated by REMICADE®
REMICADE infusion therapy is prescribed by physicians to treat:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Plaque psoriasis
Infusion treatments of REMICADE can reduce signs and symptoms in each of these conditions. For patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, REMICADE can also induce and maintain remission. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, it can help stop further joint damage and improve physical function.
What to Expect During REMICADE® Infusion Therapy
REMICADE is administered via infusion therapy in one of our comfortable infusion suites over approximately two hours. Your doctor will prescribe a specific dosage based on your medical condition, weight, and other factors.
REMICADE infusion therapy is usually prescribed in a series of doses as part of the ongoing treatment plan for your chronic disease. Your doctor will likely prescribe a starter series to be administered three times in the first six weeks, followed by a maintenance schedule of one infusion every eight weeks. We recommend drinking plenty of water and dressing comfortably for your infusion appointments.
The FlexCare team will monitor you for any possible side effects during and after your infusion treatment. Possible side effects of REMICADE include pain or swelling at the injection site, shortness of breath, stomach pain, nausea, chills, fever, headache, or rash. The use of REMICADE can also lower your body’s ability to fight infections. Other side effects are also possible.
Getting Started With Infusion Therapy
If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritic, or plaque psoriasis, you may wish to discuss infusion therapy with your physician.
If they prescribe REMICADE infusion therapy as part of your treatment plan, we have an easy referral process. If you have any questions, you can also contact FlexCare directly. We look forward to helping you soon.