How to Restart Remicade

Remicade is the brand name for infliximab, an intravenous medication prescribed to treat autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis. Remicade infusions block the effects of a chemical called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a substance that increases inflammation in the body. TNF blockers suppress the immune system and can cause serious infections, forcing some patients to temporarily discontinue therapy. Remicade treatment can be restarted safely and effectively for most conditions, but you must follow important steps to restart Remicade infusions.

Things You'll Need

• Copies of blood work
• Diagnostic testing results
• Medical history documents
• Medication list

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Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in autoimmune diseases, to discuss the benefits and risks of restarting Remicade therapy. Bring copies of any blood work and diagnostic testing you have had done since discontinuing Remicade therapy. Tell your doctor whether you have had any vaccines within the past six months.

• 2

  Provide a complete medical history and medication list for your physician. Include all prescription medications, herbal supplements and over-the-counter products you are taking. Tell your doctor if you have been recently diagnosed with a heart condition, tuberculosis, hepatitis, cancer, skin diseases or infections, because you may not be able to restart Remicade.

• 3

  Tell your rheumatologist if you have had an allergic reaction to Remicade in the past. PubMed Health warns that you may experience a delayed allergic reaction when restarting Remicade, if you have had Remicade infusions in the past. Seek immediate medical attention for allergic reactions, such as fever, rash, hives and swelling of the face, lips or throat.

• 4

  Visit reputable government websites for more information on Remicade therapy (see Resources). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides up-to-date information on diseases, conditions and medical treatments. The FDA states that you should have a complete diagnostic workup before restarting Remicade treatments, especially if you discontinued therapy because of an infection.

• 5

  Speak to your pharmacist about restarting Remicade therapy. Pharmacists have a vast amount of knowledge on medication side effects, adverse reactions and drug interactions. Give your pharmacist a copy of your current medication list to check for possible drug interactions before restarting Remicade infusions.

• 6

  Monitor for adverse reactions when restarting Remicade treatment. Watch for side effects, such as fever, excessive sweating, chills, shortness of breath and flu symptoms. Contact your physician immediately for signs of serious adverse reactions, including chest pain, coughing up blood, weakness, red rash or yellowing of the skin.

• 7

  Report your progress to the rheumatologist who prescribed Remicade infusions for your condition. Your physician will want to make sure the medication is working properly and that you are not experiencing any infusion reactions, such as pain, redness or swelling at the injection site. Routine lab tests are necessary for Remicade therapy, so have regular blood work done to monitor for unseen adverse reactions.