REMICADE IS A NEWLY RELEASED DRUG, AND THUS, ONLY LIMITED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CONSULT OTHER SOURCES TO COMPLIMENT YOUR EXISTING KNOWLEDGE. THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

BRAND NAMES

Remicade (US); Revellex (South-Africa)

DRUG CLASS

As of yet, Remicade remains unclassified.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Information not yet available.

USES

Rheumatoid arthritis, fistulizing Crohn's disease, severe Crohn's disease.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Ensure that your physician is well aware of your medical history, especially of any allergies, current infections, tumours, and decreased immune function. Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially immune supressing drugs (e.g. prednisone, cyclosporine). Full studies on the impact of Remicade in pregnancy and lactation are not known, so consult your doctor if you plan to get pregnant or are lactating.

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Two Medwatch Alerts have been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration with respect to Remicade. The first warned of possible tuberculosis, and other severe opportunistic infections in persons receiving Remicade therapy. The second warned of potential serious side effects in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) who are receiving Remicade therapy.

SIDE EFFECTS

Report all side effects promptly to your physician
Nausea or pain at the site of injection, fever, chills, headache, chest pain, cough, sore throat, unusual tiredness, stomach pain, unusual vaginal discharge, white patches in the mouth, diarrhea, joint/muscle pain, mental/mood changes, changes in skin appearance, painful urination, increased frequency or urgency of urination, unusal bleeding or bruising, fast or irregular pulse, unusual lumps, swollen glands, allergic response.

SOURCES

http://www.medscape.com
http://www.mdconsult.com; Mosby's Drug Consult

Edited by Strutsy on 03/18/02 04:12 PM (server time).