About infliximab
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker
Used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis, usually with methotrexate
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
- Plaque psoriasis
Usual adult dose
Usually 3–5 mg/kg by intravenous infusion at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 6–8 weeks; dose and interval vary by condition.
Usual dose in children
Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis: usually 5 mg/kg by intravenous infusion at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 8 weeks.
Common side effects
- Infusion reactions, including headache, rash, or breathing difficulty
- Infections, including upper respiratory infections
- Headache or abdominal pain
- Nausea or fatigue
Important warnings
- Serious infections, including tuberculosis, can occur; screening is needed before treatment.
- May worsen heart failure; avoid high doses in moderate or severe heart failure.
- Rarely associated with lymphoma and other cancers.
- Do not use with live vaccines; report new neurological symptoms or jaundice.
Pregnancy
May be continued when clinically needed; discuss timing with a healthcare professional. Infant live-vaccine timing may need adjustment after exposure during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts may enter breast milk; available evidence suggests low infant exposure. Discuss individual circumstances with a healthcare professional.
Interactions
- Avoid combining with other biologic immune-suppressing medicines, such as anakinra or abatacept.
- Live vaccines may cause infection during treatment.
- Warfarin levels may change; monitoring may be needed.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.