Remicade

infliximab

Remicade is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and many other kinds of inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease and psoriasis. Remicade is designed to block the effects of tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, a protein that encourages inflammation. TNF is also a natural “cancer killer” in that it kills off tumor cells in the body.

A study analysis led by the Mayo Clinic and published May 17, 2006 found that Remicade more than triples the risk of developing several types of cancer, including lymphomas, skin cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer and tumors of the lung, especially in high doses.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that Remicade can decrease the body’s ability to fight serious and possibly fatal infections, and that patients taking Remicade are twice as likely to develop serious infections.

Remicade may also cause serious and possibly fatal liver disease.

Although rare, patients may have a slightly increased risk of developing cancer while taking Remicade. Patients should immediately inform their doctors if they develop symptoms such as:

• unusual lumps/growths
• swollen glands
• night sweats
• changes in skin appearance
• unexplained weight loss

Remicade may cause side effects. Patients should inform their doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or persistent:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• heartburn
• headache
• runny nose
• back pain
• white patches in the mouth
• vaginal itching, burning, and pain or other signs of a yeast infection
• flushing

Patients should immediately contact their doctors if they experience any of the less common but more serious side effects, like:

• any type of rash, including a rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
• chest pain
• swelling of the feet, ankles, stomach, or lower legs
• sudden weight gain
• shortness of breath
• blurred vision or vision changes
• weakness in arms or legs
• muscle or joint pain
• numbness or tingling in any part of the body
• seizures
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark colored urine
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• blood in stool
• pale skin

Patients should have a tuberculosis (TB) skin test before beginning to take this medication.

Source: “Infliximab Injection,” MedlinePlus Drug Information, April 1, 2007; “Remicade IV,” Webmd.com, May 2007.