Infliximab

Infliximab is a medication used to treat adult and pediatric patients with Crohn’s Disease, colitis, or ulcerative rectocolitis; adult patients with fistulizing Crohn’s Disease; rheumatoid arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; psoriatic arthritis; and plaque psoriasis. In these conditions, the body produces an increased amount of a substance called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). This elevated level of TNF-alpha causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue, leading to inflammation. Blocking TNF-alpha with Infliximab can reduce inflammation but may also decrease the immune system’s ability to fight infections. Your physician has decided to treat you with Infliximab because your disease remains active even after you have tried other treatments.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. If you have moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, you will be treated with Infliximab in combination with methotrexate to:

– reduce signs and symptoms of your disease
– prevent joint damage
– improve physical function.

Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease of the spine. If you have ankylosing spondylitis and do not respond to or cannot tolerate other medications, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease, including range of motion
– improve physical function.

Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease frequently accompanied by psoriasis. If you have active psoriatic arthritis that does not respond to other medications, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your arthritis, including reducing pain and swelling around your joints
– improve psoriasis
– improve physical function.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. If you have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and systemic therapy with phototherapy or conventional treatment has been inadequate or inappropriate, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your psoriasis
– improve your quality of life.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. If you are an adult with moderate to severe active Crohn’s Disease that does not respond to other medications, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease
– induce and maintain remission (a symptom-free stage) of your disease
– induce healing of intestinal tissue
– improve your quality of life by helping you feel better
– reduce the number of fistula drainages (an abnormal opening through the skin originating from the intestine).

If you are a child with Crohn’s Disease, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease
– induce and maintain remission (a symptom-free stage) of your disease
– improve your quality of life by helping you feel better.

Colitis or Ulcerative Rectocolitis

Colitis or ulcerative rectocolitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. If you have moderate to severe active colitis or ulcerative rectotlitis that does not respond to other medications, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease
– induce and maintain remission of your disease
– induce and maintain mucosal healing
– reduce or eliminate the use of corticosteroids
– improve your quality of life as an adult, helping you feel better
– reduce the need for removal of the large intestine.

If you are a child or adolescent with colitis or ulcerative rectolitis, you will receive Infliximab to:

– reduce the signs and symptoms of your disease
– induce and maintain remission of your disease
– induce and maintain mucosal healing
– reduce or eliminate the use of corticosteroids.