|  | Conditions Treatments | Back Pain

Remicade Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints between the vertebrae of the spine and between the spine and pelvis. Patients with AS can be limited in movement. Eventually, the condition can cause spinal fusion and long-term disability. One drug that has shown promise in easing symptoms is infliximab, which is commercially marketed in the United States as Remicade.

  1. Significance

    • Remicade is used to treat autoimmune disorders including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, AS, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998 to treat Crohn's disease.

    Dosing

    • Remicade can't be taken orally, because the drug would be destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, it's administered intravenously approximately every 6 to 8 weeks.

    Function

    • Remicade works by blocking chemical messengers that cause autoimmune reaction. By doing this, the drug shuts down the autoimmune response. Because of this, patients taking the drug stay free of the symptoms of AS for longer periods. Patients have reported feeling a relief from the symptoms of AS as soon as 2 weeks after beginning therapy on the drug.

    Warning

    • Because Remicade is an immunosuppressive drug, patients who take it may be more prone to infections. Patients who develop infections find that the infections are harder to treat. Additionally, patients who take immunosuppressive drugs over time have been shown to build up resistance to the drugs.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects for Remicade may include nausea or abdominal pain, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, dizziness or fainting, headache, muscle pain, shortness of breath, sore throat, tightness in the chest, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting or wheezing.

Back Pain - Related Articles