REMICADE
RxNorm 213361· INFLIXIMAB· INTRAVENOUS
Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker [EPC] · Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Boxed Warning
WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS and MALIGNANCY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of serious infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections (such as histoplasmosis) and infections due to other opportunistic pathogens. ( 5.1 ) Discontinue REMICADE if a patient develops a serious infection. Perform test for latent TB; if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting REMICADE. Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even if initial latent TB test is negative. ( 5.1 ) Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, including REMICADE. ( 5.2 ) Postmarketing cases of fatal hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including REMICADE. Almost all had received azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis. The majority of REMICADE cases were reported in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, most of whom were adolescent or young adult males. ( 5.2 ) SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with REMICADE are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. REMICADE should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis. Reported infections include: Active tuberculosis, including reactivation of latent tuberculosis. Patients with tuberculosis have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease. Patients should be tested for latent tuberculosis before REMICADE use and during therapy. Treatment for latent infection should be ini…
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE REMICADE is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for: Crohn's Disease : reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. ( 1.1 ) reducing the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas and maintaining fistula closure in adult patients with fistulizing disease. ( 1.1 ) Pediatric Crohn's Disease : reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. ( 1.2 ) Ulcerative Colitis : reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing, and eliminating corticosteroid use in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. ( 1.3 ) Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis : reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. ( 1.4 ) Rheumatoid Arthritis in combination with methotrexate : reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease. ( 1.5 ) Ankylosing Spondylitis : reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active disease. ( 1.6 ) Psoriatic Arthritis : reducing signs and symptoms of active arthritis, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients. ( 1.7 ) Plaque Psoriasis : treatment of adult patients with chronic severe (i.e., extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate. ( 1.8 ) 1.1 Crohn's Disease REMICADE is indicated for: reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. reducing the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas and maintaining fistula closure in adult patients with fistulizing CD. 1.2 Pediatric Crohn's Disease REMICADE is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active CD who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. 1.3 Ulcerative Colitis REMICADE is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing, and eliminating corticosteroid use in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. 1.4 Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis REMICADE is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active UC who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. 1.5 Rheumatoid Arthritis REMICADE, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 1.6 Ankylosing Spondylitis REMICADE is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 1.7 Psoriatic Arthritis REMICADE is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of active arthritis, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 1.8 Plaque Psoriasis REMICADE is indicated for t…
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prior to treatment, ensure appropriate personnel and medication are available to treat reactions (e.g., hypersensitivity) that occur during infusion and shortly after infusion. ( 2.11 ) REMICADE is administered by intravenous infusion for at least 2 hours with an in-line filter ( 2.11 ) Crohn's Disease : 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. Some adult patients who initially respond to treatment may benefit from increasing the dose to 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks if they later lose their response. ( 2.1 ) Pediatric Crohn's Disease (≥ 6 years old) : 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. ( 2.2 ) Ulcerative Colitis : 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. ( 2.3 ) Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis (≥ 6 years old) : 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. ( 2.4 ) Rheumatoid Arthritis : In conjunction with methotrexate, 3 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. Some patients may benefit from increasing the dose up to 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks or treating as often as every 4 weeks. ( 2.5 ) Ankylosing Spondylitis : 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 6 weeks. ( 2.6 ) Psoriatic Arthritis and Plaque Psoriasis : 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. ( 2.7 , 2.8 ) 2.1 Dosage in Adult Crohn's Disease The recommended dosage of REMICADE is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active CD or fistulizing CD. For adult patients who respond and then lose their response, consideration may be given to treatment with 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks. Patients who do not respond by Week 14 are unlikely to respond with continued dosing and consideration should be given to discontinue REMICADE in these patients. 2.2 Dosage in Pediatric Crohn's Disease The recommended dosage of REMICADE for pediatric patients 6 years and older with moderately to severely active CD is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks. 2.3 Dosage in Adult Ulcerative Colitis The recommended dosage of REMICADE is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC. 2.4 Dosage in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis The recommended dosage of REMICADE for pediatric patients 6 years and older with moderately to severely active UC is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks. 2.5 Dosage in Rheumatoid Arthritis The recommended dosage of REMICADE is 3 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of moderately to severely active RA. REMICADE should be given in combination with methotrexate. For patients who have an incomplete response, consideration may be given to adjusting the dosage up to 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks or treating as often as every 4 weeks bearing in mind that risk of serious infections is increased at higher doses per infusion or more frequent dosing [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 2.6 Dosage in Ankylosing Spondylitis The recommended dosage of REMICADE is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 6 weeks thereafter for the treatment of active AS. 2.7 Dosage in Psoriatic Arthritis The recommended dosage of REMICADE is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenous induction regimen at 0, 2 and 6 weeks followed by a maintenance regimen of 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks thereafter for the treatment of PsA. REMICADE can be used with or without methotrexate. 2.8 Dosage in Plaque Psoriasis The recommended dosage of REMICADE in adult patients is 5 mg/kg given as an intravenou…
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious infections – do not give REMICADE during an active infection. If an infection develops, monitor carefully and stop REMICADE if infection becomes serious. ( 5.1 ) Invasive fungal infections – for patients who develop a systemic illness on REMICADE, consider empiric antifungal therapy for those who reside or travel to regions where mycoses are endemic ( 5.1 ) Malignancies – the incidence of malignancies, including invasive cervical cancer and lymphoma, was greater in REMICADE-treated patients than in controls. Due to the risk of HSTCL carefully assess the risk/benefit especially if the patient has Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, is male, and is receiving azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine treatment. ( 5.2 ) Hepatitis B virus reactivation – test for HBV infection before starting REMICADE. Monitor HBV carriers during and several months after therapy. If reactivation occurs, stop REMICADE and begin anti-viral therapy. ( 5.3 ) Hepatotoxicity – severe hepatic reactions, some fatal or necessitating liver transplantation. Stop REMICADE in cases of jaundice and/or marked liver enzyme elevations. ( 5.4 ) Heart failure – new onset or worsening symptoms may occur. ( 4 , 5.5 ) Cytopenias – advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if signs and symptoms develop, and consider stopping REMICADE. ( 5.6 ) Hypersensitivity – serious infusion reactions including anaphylaxis or serum sickness-like reactions may occur. ( 5.7 ) Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Reactions – Cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarctions (some fatal), and arrhythmias have been reported during and within 24 hours of initiation of REMICADE infusion. Monitor patients during REMICADE infusion and if serious reaction occurs, discontinue infusion. ( 5.8 ) Demyelinating disease – exacerbation or new onset may occur. ( 5.9 ) Lupus-like syndrome – stop REMICADE if syndrome develops. ( 5.12 ) Vaccinations and Use of Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents – Prior to initiating REMICADE bring pediatric and adult patients up to date with all vaccinations. Live vaccines or therapeutic infectious agents should not be given with REMICADE. At least a six month waiting period following birth is recommended before the administration of live vaccines to infants exposed in utero to infliximab ( 5.13 ). 5.1 Serious Infections Patients treated with REMICADE are at increased risk for developing serious infections involving various organ systems and sites that may lead to hospitalization or death. Opportunistic infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or parasitic organisms including aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, legionellosis, listeriosis, pneumocystosis, salmonellosis and tuberculosis have been reported with TNF blockers. Patients have frequently presented with disseminated rather than localized disease. Treatment with REMICADE should not be initiated in patients with an active infection, including clinically important localized infections. Patients greater than 65 years of age, patients with co-morbid conditions and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids or methotrexate may be at greater risk of infection. The risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to initiating therapy in patients: with chronic or recurrent infection; who have been exposed to tuberculosis; with a history of an opportunistic infection; who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses, such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis; or with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Tuberculosis Cases of reactivation of tuberculosis or new tuberculosis infections have been observed in patients receiving REMICADE, including patients who have previously received treatment for latent or active tuberculosis. Cases of active tuberculosis have also occurred in patie…
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of REMICADE at doses >5 mg/kg is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . REMICADE is contraindicated in patients with a previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab or any of the inactive ingredients of REMICADE or any murine proteins [severe hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylaxis, hypotension, and serum sickness] [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. REMICADE doses >5 mg/kg in moderate or severe heart failure. ( 4 ) Previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab or any inactive ingredients of REMICADE or to any murine proteins. ( 4 )
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Other Biological Products – increased risk of serious infections. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Other Biological Products The combination of REMICADE with other biological products used to treat the same conditions as REMICADE is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] . An increased risk of serious infections was seen in clinical studies of other TNF blockers used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added clinical benefit. Because of the nature of the adverse reactions seen with these combinations with TNF blocker therapy, similar toxicities may also result from the combination of anakinra or abatacept with other TNF blockers. Therefore, the combination of REMICADE and anakinra or abatacept is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] . The concomitant use of tocilizumab with biological DMARDs such as TNF antagonists, including REMICADE, should be avoided because of the possibility of increased immunosuppression and increased risk of infection. 7.2 Methotrexate and Other Concomitant Medications Specific drug interaction studies, including interactions with methotrexate (MTX), have not been conducted. The majority of patients in RA or CD clinical studies received one or more concomitant medications. In RA, concomitant medications besides MTX were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), folic acid, corticosteroids and/or narcotics. Concomitant CD medications were antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, 6-MP/AZA and aminosalicylates. In PsA clinical trials, concomitant medications included MTX in approximately half of the patients as well as NSAIDs, folic acid and corticosteroids. Concomitant MTX use may decrease the incidence of anti-infliximab antibody production and increase infliximab concentrations. 7.3 Immunosuppressants Patients with CD who received immunosuppressants tended to experience fewer infusion reactions compared to patients on no immunosuppressants [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Serum infliximab concentrations appeared to be unaffected by baseline use of medications for the treatment of CD including corticosteroids, antibiotics (metronidazole or ciprofloxacin) and aminosalicylates. 7.4 Cytochrome P450 Substrates The formation of CYP450 enzymes may be suppressed by increased levels of cytokines (e.g., TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IFN) during chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is expected that for a molecule that antagonizes cytokine activity, such as infliximab, the formation of CYP450 enzymes could be normalized. Upon initiation or discontinuation of REMICADE in patients being treated with CYP450 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, monitoring of the effect (e.g., warfarin) or drug concentration (e.g., cyclosporine or theophylline) is recommended and the individual dose of the drug product may be adjusted as needed. 7.5 Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents It is recommended that live vaccines not be given concurrently with REMICADE. It is also recommended that live vaccines not be given to infants after in utero exposure to infliximab for at least 6 months following birth [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] . It is recommended that therapeutic infectious agents not be given concurrently with REMICADE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] .
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available observational studies in pregnant women exposed to REMICADE showed no increased risk of major malformations among live births as compared to those exposed to non-biologics. However, findings on other birth and maternal outcomes were not consistent across studies of different study design and conduct (see Data ) . Monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab are transferred across the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy and may affect immune response in the in utero exposed infant (see Clinical Considerations ) . Because infliximab does not cross-react with TNFα in species other than humans and chimpanzees, animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with REMICADE. In a developmental study conducted in mice using an analogous antibody, no evidence of maternal toxicity or fetal harm was observed (see Data ) . All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Published data suggest that there is an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis associated with increased disease activity. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg) and small for gestational age at birth. Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions As with other IgG antibodies, infliximab crosses the placenta. Infliximab has been detected in the serum of infants up to 6 months following birth. Consequently, these infants may be at increased risk of infection, including disseminated infection which can become fatal. At least a six month waiting period following birth is recommended before the administration of live vaccines (e.g., BCG vaccine or other live vaccines, such as the rotavirus vaccine) to these infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] . Cases of agranulocytosis in infants exposed in utero have also been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.3) ] . Data Human Data Two prospective cohort studies were conducted assessing birth outcomes as well as the health status of infants up to the age of one year in women exposed to REMICADE compared to non-biologic comparators including methotrexate, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and systemic corticosteroids used for the treatment of similar diseases. The first study was conducted in an IBD pregnancy registry in the United States and assessed pregnancy outcomes in 294 women with inflammatory bowel disease exposed to REMICADE during pregnancy compared with 515 women on a non-biologic treatment. REMICADE exposure was not associated with increased rates of major congenital malformations, miscarriage/stillbirth, infants of low birth weight, small for gestational age, or infection in the first year of life. The second study among IBD and non-IBD patients in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark compared 97, 7, and 166 women exposed to REMICADE to 2,693, 2,499 and 1,268 women on non-biologic systemic therapy, respectively. In this study, comparing pooled data across the three countries, exposure to REMICADE was not associated with increased rates of congenital anomalies or infant death. REMICADE in combination with immunosuppressants (mainly systemic corticosteroids and azathioprine) was associated with increased rates of preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birth weight, and infant hospitalization for infection compared with non-biologic systemic treatment. Although the study did not show any associations with REMICADE monotherapy, the analyses could have been underpowered to detect an association. There were additional methodological limitations wit…
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- off label use51,797
- drug ineffective42,425
- condition aggravated28,535
- arthralgia21,584
- pain20,347
- intentional product use issue19,440
- fatigue19,393
- infusion related reaction19,374
- rheumatoid arthritis18,604
- product use issue14,382
- nausea14,208
- rash14,169
- inappropriate schedule of product administration13,222
- headache13,133
- malaise12,541
- drug intolerance12,449
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (>10%) – infections (e.g. upper respiratory, sinusitis, and pharyngitis), infusion-related reactions, headache, and abdominal pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Biotech, Inc. at 1-800-526-7736 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Adults The data described herein reflect exposure to REMICADE in 4779 adult patients (1304 patients with RA, 1106 patients with CD, 202 with AS, 293 with PsA, 484 with UC, 1373 with Ps, and 17 patients with other conditions), including 2625 patients exposed beyond 30 weeks and 374 exposed beyond 1 year. [For information on adverse reactions in pediatric patients see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. One of the most-common reasons for discontinuation of treatment was infusion-related reactions (e.g., dyspnea, flushing, headache and rash). Infusion-Related Reactions Adverse Reactions During or Shortly After Infusion An infusion reaction was defined in clinical trials as any adverse event occurring during an infusion or within 1 hour after an infusion. In all the clinical studies, approximately 20% of REMICADE-treated patients experienced an infusion reaction compared with 10% of placebo-treated patients. Of REMICADE-treated patients who had an infusion reaction during the induction period, 27% experienced an infusion reaction during the maintenance period. Of patients who did not have an infusion reaction during the induction period, 9% experienced an infusion reaction during the maintenance period. Among all REMICADE infusions, 3% were accompanied by nonspecific symptoms such as fever or chills, 1% were accompanied by cardiopulmonary reactions (primarily chest pain, hypotension, hypertension or dyspnea), and <1% were accompanied by pruritus, urticaria, or the combined symptoms of pruritus/urticaria and cardiopulmonary reactions. Serious infusion reactions occurred in <1% of patients and included anaphylaxis, convulsions, erythematous rash and hypotension. Approximately 3% of patients discontinued REMICADE because of infusion reactions, and all patients recovered with treatment and/or discontinuation of the infusion. REMICADE infusions beyond the initial infusion were not associated with a higher incidence of reactions. The infusion reaction rates remained stable in Ps through 1 year in Ps Study I. In psoriasis Study II, the rates were variable over time and somewhat higher following the final infusion than after the initial infusion. Across the 3 Ps studies, the percent of total infusions resulting in infusion reactions (i.e., an adverse event occurring within 1 hour) was 7% in the 3 mg/kg group, 4% in the 5 mg/kg group, and 1% in the placebo group. Patients who became positive for antibodies to infliximab were more likely (approximately two-to three-fold) to have an infusion reaction than were those who were negative. Use of concomitant immunosuppressant agents appeared to reduce the frequency of both antibodies to infliximab and infusion reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) and Drug Interactions (7.3) ] . Infusion Reactions Following Re-administration In a clinical trial of patients with moderate to severe Ps designed to assess the efficacy of long-term maintenance therapy versus re-treatment with an induction regimen of REMICADE following disease flare, 4% (8/219) of patients in the re-treatment induction therapy arm experienced serious infusion reactions versus <1% (1/222) in the maintenance therapy arm. Patients enrolled in this trial did not receive any concomitant immunosuppressant therapy. In this study, the majority of serious infusion reactions occurred during the second infusion at Week 2. S…
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