Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Doses for Remicade infliximab

I live in India and my body weight is 55 KG.

Today i visited my Doctor (Rheumatologist) he saw my "LS Spine PA" x-ray report. He said i have AS, and recommended me to go for Remicade Infliximab 100ml x 2 veins, first on day 0 and second on day 14. The cost will be Rs. 70,000 x 2 = Rs. 1,40,000.

He said if required you have to take the same again. Can anyone here has gone through the same.

What is the max dose or session, or do i have to take it through out my life?
What are the side effects?
Does it really cures AS?

Hi. I took Remicade for a year and didn't get very good results. We are all very different and react to the meds differently. I know there are people here who have had good results. I don't personally know anyone who has been on it ongoing for very long and I don't think it has been around long enough to know about "life".

They weighed me each time and adjusted the dosage accordingly. I don't understand the amts. and costs you listed. Maybe someone else here will.

I wish you the best. I hope it works wonderfully for you.

Possi

Hi Naushad,

I am on Remicade and have been for 2 years. I started off with the dosing at 2 weeks as well and then went to every 6 weeks. There is different dosing if the Dr. doesn't feel you are getting enough. I have been increased once. They do weight you every time. I sit for 3 hours. They start by giving me a Tylenol and some Benedryl (Antihistimine) then they give me an I.V. of steroid. Then I start the Remicade and it takes about 3 hours each time.

Remicade as well as the other Biologics does not cure this disease. It slows the progression. For me, it has helped curve the amount of times that I have had to deal with Uveitis.

I hope this helps.

Remicade was my first biologic. Took 6 doses before giving up on it. Started with the standard starting doses (2 vials?). Raised it again to 4 vials on the 4th dose. Raised it on the last dose to 6 vials, which made it 8mg/kg of body weight for me. NO response at all. Because I had good insurance, my cost was very little compared to the cost my insurance company paid (neighborhood of $8000.00 USD). I took an antihistamine the day before and the morning of the dose. Had no side-effects except feeling like I had a mild-to-moderate cold on the earlier doses and the flu on the last dose. That lasted one day on early doses and 2 days on the last dose.

It doesn't cure AS. Or anything else. At best, it will put you in a sort of remission. That could FEEL like a cure, maybe. I believe the top dose tested by the company is 10mg/kg.

Good luck with your Remicade.

hello naushad,
i had taken remicade 4 doses. the first dose effect lasted for around 3 mnths, the second for around 2 mnths and the 3&4 th dose effect lasted for around six weeks. this was my best time!!
however, my infusions were covered by insurance. i understand 70k rs or 1400$ per infusion is too high a cost. please understand that it is not a cure but it does slow disease progression.
i would advice you to take a second opinion from other rheumatologist. best of luck...keep us updated about your progress....

Hi All,

Thanks for the comments. However, i have decided not to go with Remicade. I have consulted an Homeopathic doctor. He has analysed my condition and told me that my condition is pretty OK. As i am able to walk and can also bend forward a bit. Though there are stiffness which can be handled by medicine. Remicade is still in testing stage and is not currently recommended. He has also advised me strictly go for swimming classes.

I have registered myself for 8 months course, let's see what happens.

Any comments?

Best wishes. The swimming or any water exercise is wonderful.
Possibly the Remicade hasn't been tested as much there as it has here. There are other people who use Homeopathy. Things work differently for different people.


Let us know how you do.

Possi

Hello and welcome to KA.

I was on Remicade for 4.5 years until it stopped working for me. Then, I switched to Enbrel.

I can't speak for India, but Remicade has been proved effective for treatment of AS. It does not stop the disease, but it does slow the progression of it a great deal. Many of us who have taken it have found that we have greater energy, our ability to live our lives well increase, we have greater quality of life. How much you can move or bend over doesn't determine whether we need these medications. There are many criteria that must be met, but mainly ... how does your AS impact your ability to live your life.

When I was on Remicade, I started with 3 vials, which was my dose for over a year. I had infusions at weeks 0, 2 and 6, then every 8 weeks after that. When I gained weight (20lbs because my body was no longer attacking itself), they upped my frequency to 7 weeks and my dose to 4 vials. These medications are expensive, but for a great many of us (unfortunately, not all) our ability to live life, go back to work, continue working, helps to make up for it. Luckily, I had a very good benefit plan through work, so I could afford to have it.

By the way, I worked with a naturopath for 2 years before I allowed my rheumatologist to start prescribing medications for me. Sadly, it didn't work well enough, although it did help somewhat. I hope you can combat this effectively through your Homeopath.

Yoga, pilates, walking, swimming ... these are key for us as well. Whatever you do, make sure your day includes stretching, cardio and strengthening exercise.

I hope some of this helps.

Warm hugs,