Details

Infliximab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation. Infliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. Infliximab is also used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin). Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective. Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections. Using infliximab may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma that can be fatal. This risk is higher in teenagers and young adults using infliximab with other medicines to treat Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Ask your doctor about your specific risk. Infliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

Typical Uses

Infliximab is used to treat certain types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the spine, psoriatic arthritis), certain bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and a certain severe skin disease (chronic plaque psoriasis). In these conditions, the body's defence system (immune system) attacks healthy tissues. Infliximab works by blocking the actions of a certain natural substance (tumour necrosis factor alpha) in the body. This helps to decrease swelling (inflammation) and weaken your immune system, thereby slowing or stopping the damage from the disease.

Side Effects

Stop using infliximab and inform your doctor if you have fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness feeling full after eating only a small amount pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate or nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Infliximab+altretamine- Using infliximab together with altretamine may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Infliximab+azathioprine- Using infliximab together with azathioprine may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Infliximab+bosutinib- Using infliximab together with bosutinib may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Infliximab+cortisone- Using infliximab together with cortisone may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Infliximab+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as infliximab may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.

Mechanism of action

Infliximab is a disease modifying drug that belongs to a class of medications called TNF inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of a protein (TNF) thereby suppressing white blood cells function (macrophage and T-cell), reducing the inflammation in joints, and preventing new erosions (disease modifying action).

Pregnancy Category : B