This page contains a brief description that does not cover the medication. For more information read the review in Felleskatalogen.no for the respective drug.

Definition

• Infliximab is the active substance in Remicade, Remsima, Flixabi, Inflectra and Zessly and is one Biological drug which blocks TNF-alpha i immune system
• The treatment is intravenous in hospital, most often as day treatment. Active substance is infliximab
• Remicade, Remsima, Inflectra and Zessly er Bio-equivalent drugs all of which contain the active substance infliximab

Before start of treatment

• Medical examinations to rule out infections (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tuberkulosis (Tbc))
  • Blood tests
  • Urine
  • X-ray or CT of lungs
  • Tuberculosis screening: more here (in Danish)

Vaccines

• Consider annual flu vaccine
• Evaluate pneumococcal vaccine before starting treatment (effect lasts for 5-10 years)
• Consider hepatitis B vaccine before initiating treatment (exposed persons)
• "Live vaccines" should not be used
• More about vaccines here

Dosage

• Gives intravenously, every 6-8 week. Can also be dosed following body surface area: Calculator (based on Height and Weight)
• Common dosage at Rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis) in adults
• Starting dose 3 mg / kg, repeat 2 and 6 weeks after 1. Infusion, then every 8. week
• The dose may be increased if needed
• Combination with Methotrexate is common

Physician controls / follow-up

• Specialist / Specialist in Rheumatology and General Practitioner

Measurement of serum concentration

• Serum concentration and antibody measurement (Inflix simab, OUS on own requisition). Measured in blood before new dose is given (bottom concentration): For recommended reference range and supplemental information is recommended anx.no (infliksimab)

Patient information

• Link here (the Norwegian Medical Association)
• The Norwegian «Common Catalog»
• UpToDate (American side)

Medications, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no