Infliximab is a type of biological therapy called a monoclonal antibody that
may be used to treat certain autoimmune conditions characterized by
inflammation such as:

  * Rheumatoid arthritis in adults which is also being treated with methotrexate
  * Ankylosing spondylitis in adults
  * Psoriatic arthritis in adults
  * Chronic, severe, plaque psoriasis in adults when other treatments are less appropriate
  * Crohn's disease in adults and children 6 years of age and older that has not improved with other medications or adults with fistulizing disease
  * Ulcerative colitis in adults and children 6 years of age or older that has not improved with other medications.

Instead of having generics, infliximab has biosimilars. Biosimilars are near-
identical copies of the first brand of infliximab (Remicade) and just as safe
and effective with similar dosing regimens. Although there are no clinically
meaningful differences, they are usually significantly less expensive. There
are four FDA-approved biosimilars of infliximab but only three are available
on the U.S. market:

  * infliximab-axxq (Avsola)
  * infliximab-dyyb (Inflectra)
  * infliximab-abda (Renflexis).





Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives;
chest pain, difficulty breathing; fever, chills, severe dizziness; swelling of
your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you
feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, tingly, short of breath, or have a
headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint pain, pain or tightness in your
throat, chest pain, or trouble swallowing during the injection. Infusion
reactions may also occur within 1 or 2 hours after injection.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with
infliximab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as
fever, extreme tiredness, flu symptoms, cough, or skin symptoms (pain, warmth,
or redness).

Also, call your doctor if you have:

  * skin changes, new growths on your skin
  * easy bruising or bleeding
  * a delayed allergic reaction (up to 12 days after receiving infliximab), symptoms may include a fever, sore throat, trouble swallowing, headache, joint or muscle pain, skin rash, or swelling in your face or hands
  * liver problems--right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin or eyes, and not feeling well
  * lupus-like syndrome--joint pain or swelling, chest discomfort, feeling short of breath, skin rash on your cheeks or arms (worsens in sunlight)
  * nerve problems--numbness or tingling, problems with vision, weakness in your arms or legs, or a seizure
  * new or worsening psoriasis--skin redness or scaly patches, raised bumps filled with pus
  * signs of heart failure--shortness of breath with swelling of your ankles or feet, rapid weight gain
  * signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness, trouble speaking or understanding what is said to you, problems with vision or balance, severe headache
  * signs of lymphoma--fever, night sweats, weight loss, stomach pain or swelling, chest pain, cough, trouble breathing, swollen glands (in your neck, armpits, or groin) or
  * signs of tuberculosis--fever, cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling constantly tired.

Serious infections may be more likely in adults who are 65 years or older.

The most common side effects reported with infliximab include:

  * Upper respiratory tract infections
  * Nausea
  * Headache
  * Sinusitis
  * Diarrhea
  * Abdominal pain
  * Sore throat
  * Coughing
  * Bronchitis
  * Rash
  * Dyspepsia
  * Tiredness
  * Urinary tract infection
  * Pain or joint pain
  * Itch
  * Fever
  * High blood pressure
  * Yeast infection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to
FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Infliximab side effects (more detail)