Remicade (Infliximab) for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Overview
Remicade is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Remicade is not FDA-approved for treating hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but it is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat cases of HS that have not responded to other treatments. In cases of HS, Remicade is often prescribed in combination with methotrexate. Remicade may be referred to by its drug name, infliximab.

Remicade is an immunomodulator, a drug that modulates the immune system. It is considered a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Remicade is a genetically engineered antibody, or protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize substances. Remicade is believed to work by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a chemical messenger involved in autoimmune attacks.

How do I take it?
After initial loading doses, Remicade is administered every eight weeks by intravenous infusion in a clinical setting.

Remicade is available as a vial.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Remicade lists common side effects including infections (e.g. upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, and pharyngitis), infusion-related reactions, headache, and abdominal pain.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Remicade include serious bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; cancer; hepatitis B; heart failure; blood disorders; allergic reactions; lupus-like syndrome; and demyelinating disease.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Remicade — Janssen
https://www.remicade.com

Review of Current Immunologic Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa — International Journal of Rheumatology
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC55...