Inflectra (Infliximab)

Inflectra (infliximab) acts on the tumor necrosis factor‑alpha pathway to control inflammation in several autoimmune diseases.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: reduces joint inflammation, pain and structural damage, improving functional ability.
• Crohn's disease: induces and maintains remission of intestinal inflammation, decreasing need for surgery.
• Ulcerative colitis: controls colonic inflammation, helping achieve clinical remission and mucosal healing.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: alleviates spinal pain and stiffness, slowing radiographic progression.
• Psoriatic arthritis: diminishes joint swelling and skin lesions, enhancing quality of life.
• Plaque psoriasis: clears skin plaques and reduces severity scores in moderate to severe cases.

• Infliximab is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to soluble and transmembrane forms of tumor necrosis factor‑alpha (TNF‑α). By neutralizing TNF‑α, it prevents activation of downstream inflammatory cascades, reduces recruitment of immune cells, and inhibits cytokine production, thereby diminishing systemic and local inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders.

Inflectra may be associated with a range of adverse reactions, varying from mild to severe.

Common Side Effects

• Infusion‑related reactions such as fever, chills, or flushing.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Upper respiratory tract infections.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Reactivation of latent tuberculosis or other serious infections.
• Development of malignancies, including lymphoma.
• Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Before initiating Inflectra therapy, several safety considerations should be evaluated.

• Screen for latent tuberculosis: perform TB testing and treat if positive before starting.
• Monitor for infections: watch for signs of bacterial, fungal or viral infections during treatment.
• Assess cardiac function: avoid use in patients with moderate to severe heart failure.
• Avoid live vaccines: do not administer live attenuated vaccines while receiving therapy.
• Pregnancy and lactation: safety data are limited; use only if potential benefit justifies risk.
• Store at 2-8°C: keep refrigerated, protect from light, do not freeze or shake.

Inflectra can interact with other medicines, influencing efficacy or safety.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Live vaccines: concurrent use may cause severe infection.
• Concomitant anti‑TNF agents: combined immunosuppression increases infection risk.
• Severe heart failure: may exacerbate condition.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Azathioprine or 6‑mercaptopurine: may increase risk of bone marrow suppression.
• Methotrexate: may enhance immunosuppressive effect, requiring blood count monitoring.
• Corticosteroids: additive infection risk, monitor for signs of infection.