This site is intended for patients who have been prescribed Remicade (infliximab). If you are a Healthcare Professional then please visit the HCP site, or if you are a member of the public please visit our public site. This site is not a substitute for the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). The information provided is general education information and does not take place of professional medical advice.
This site is intended for adult patients who have been prescribed Remicade (infliximab). If you are a teen who has been prescribed Remicade (infliximab), please visit the Teens patient site. If you are a Healthcare Professional please visit the HCP site, or if you are a member of the public please visit our public site. This site is not a substitute for the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). The information provided is general education information and does not take place of professional medical advice.
This page is intended for adolescent patients who have been prescribed Remicade (infliximab). If you are an adult who has been prescribed Remicade (infliximab), please visit the adults patient site. If you are a Healthcare Professional please visit the HCP site, or if you a member of the public please visit our public site. This site is not a substitute for the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). The information provided is general education information and does not take the place of professional medical advice.
Your Treatment
Your first treatment
Going for a new treatment for the first time can make you feel nervous, but you shouldn't worry.
Your hospital is staffed by experienced nurses, who will guide you through each step of the treatment and who can answer any questions you may have.
Future treatments
After the first treatment, you will receive another treatment after 2 weeks, and one more 4 weeks later.
After these three treatments (called the "induction" phase), you are likely to have Remicade (infliximab) treatment once every 6-8 weeks depending on your disease.
Visiting the hospital
1
Treatment Date
Before you attend hospital for your treatment, it is important to let your healthcare professional know if you feel unwell.
They may need to move your treatment to a later date.
It is a good idea to arrive promptly for your first treatment, so that there's enough time for your assessment.
2
Pre-Treatment Check
Before your treatment can begin, your healthcare professional will need to do a health check. They may ask you how you are feeling and what tests you have had.
They may also check your pulse, blood pressure and temperature.
3
Treatment Setup
Next a nurse will set up the equipment. Once you are comfortable, a cannula (a small, flexible plastic tube) will be placed in one of your veins (usually in the arm).
You might feel a slight pinch at first, but usually nothing more than that. Then, the drip will be attached to the cannula and the treatment will begin.
4
Treatment Session
The infusion time is usually 2 hours, may be shorter for some patients. During this time, you may eat, drink, visit the toilet, work, read, talk to other patients, ask the nurse any questions you might have, or just relax.
After the treatment you will need to stay in the hospital for 1-2 hours, to make sure that you feel fine. Then you will be free to get on with your day.
What to expect from your treatment
Some patients feel much better and stay well on Remicade (infliximab). However, everyone is different, so there’s no guarantee that Remicade (infliximab) will work for you. If treatment does work for you, you may get symptom relief after the first few weeks.
The future
Your disease and treatment will be reviewed regularly with your healthcare professional.
Your healthcare professional may decide to stop treatment with Remicade (infliximab) if it stops working or is giving you side effects, or if your healthcare professional decides you don't need it any more.
If during or after receiving your treatment, you notice anything unusual contact your healthcare professional immediately, especially if you experience symptoms of:
- allergic reaction (such as swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat, skin rash, hives (bumps on the skin), swelling of the hands, feet or ankles)
- infection (including TB, such as fever, tiredness, (persistent) cough, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhoea, wounds, dental problems and a burning feeling when urinating)
- heart problems (such as pain in the chest, arm or stomach, shortness of breath, fainting or feeling dizzy or light-headed, fluttering or pounding in your chest, a fast or a slow heartbeat, swelling of your feet, anxiety, sweating, nausea, vomiting)
- liver problems (such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark brown-coloured urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, feeling sick, being sick, and feeling very tired)
- lung problem such as coughing, breathing difficulties or tightness in the chest
- nervous system problem (including eye problems) such as fits, tingling or numbness in any part of your body, weakness in arms or legs, changes in eyesight such as double vision or other eye problems
- immune system disorder called lupus such as joint pain or a rash on cheeks or arms that is sensitive to the sun
- low blood count such as persistent fever, bleeding or bruising more easily or looking pale
Disclaimer
Links to external sites
The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. We do not review or control the content of any third-party site. We do not endorse and are not responsible for the accuracy, content, practices, or standards of any third-party sources.
References
- Kanai T et al. Korean J Intern Med 2014; 29(4): 409-15
- Olendzki BC et al. Nutr J 2014; 13(5): 1-7.
- Brown AC et al. Expert Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol 2011; 5(3): 411-25
- Pituch-Zdanowksa A et al. Prz Gastroenterol 2015; 10(3): 135-41.
- Oliviero F et al. Swiss Med Wkly 2015; 145: w14190.
- Clinton CM et al. Arthritis 2015; 2015: Article ID 708152.
- Narula N, Fedorak RN. Can J Gastroenterol 2008; 22 (5): 497-504
- Bilski J et al. BioMed Res Int 2014; Volume 2014 (Article ID 429031): 1-14.
- Benatti FB, Pedersen BK. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2015; 11: 86-97
- Nolte K et al. S Afr Fam Pract 2013; 55: 345-9
- Metsios GA et al. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2015 [Epub ahead of print]
- Brophy S et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2013; 42: 619-26
Contact
For further information about Remicade (infliximab) please contact our Medical Information Department at:
Medical Information Department
Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited.
Registered Office: 120 Moorgate
London
EC2M 6UR
United Kingdom
Tel: 01992 467272
E-mail: medicalinformationuk@msd.com