With the advancement of technologies, many drugs have been developed to treat various health problems.
Among these drugs is Remicade, a medication used to treat inflammatory diseases.
Learn more about medication:
Contents
What is Remicade?
Remicade is one of the trade names for the active ingredient Infliximab – an antibody produced in the laboratory.
It is a high-cost drug, applied intravenously, used to treat patients with inflammatory diseases in the joints and tissues, such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis .
Infliximab binds to a protein in the body called Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, related to disease, in order to block its action and reduce inflammatory activity.
What is the medicine remicade for?
Remicade is used to treat:
Psoriatic arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammation of the skin and joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of the joints. In both cases, the patient will first receive treatment with other medications. If there is no effect, Remicade will be administered.
In this case, it will work by reducing the symptoms of the disease, slowing the progression of joint damage and improving physical function.
Crohn’s disease
The Crohn’s disease is an inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Remicade works to reduce symptoms, induce healing of intestinal tissue and reduce the number of fistulas (abnormal opening of the skin through the intestine).
Ankylosing spondylitis
The condition is inflammation in the spine and large joints. As with psoriatic arthritis, the patient will first receive treatment with other medications. If there is no effect, Remicade will be administered to reduce symptoms and control the condition.
Plaque psoriasis
In patients suffering from skin inflammation, Remicade will help to reduce the symptoms of the disease and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Ulcerative Colitis or Retocolitis
For the treatment of Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis , Remicade will reduce the symptoms of the disease, induce and maintain healing of the mucosa, reduce the need for removal of the large intestine and decrease or even eliminate the use of corticosteroids – anti-inflammatories.
What are the similar brands of Remicade?
Remicade is considered the reference medicine for the active ingredient Infliximab.
Despite this, there are similar drugs – the same substance, but produced by other laboratories – that, in general, have a lower cost and the same effectiveness.
Some brands that produce medicines with Infliximab are:
Does Remicade have generic or other brands?
Remicade is not generic or similar, as it is a biological medicine.
It was the first medicine produced with the substance Infliximab, however, currently, there are other laboratories that use the same active ingredient. Between them:
Celltrion Healthcare
Celltrion Healthcare is a biopharmaceutical industry that supplies Infliximab under the name Remsima .
Fiocruz
The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) is an institution of science and technology in health. In the institution, Bio-Manguinhos Infliximabe is produced.
How are doses administered?
Doses should be administered into the vein by a qualified professional, for a period of approximately 2 hours in each application (may vary according to medical advice).
During preparation, the medication will be diluted (each bottle contains 100mg) in 10mL of water for injections.
This solution will be mixed with saline and applied to the patient in the amount designated by the professional.
The frequency of application can vary, being done every 2, 6 or 8 weeks, depending on the disease.
The medicine bottle and injection materials are disposable and cannot be reused.
Side effects
Like other remedies, Remicade can cause side effects in some cases.
Despite this, it is important to note that each organism reacts differently to the use of medication. Thus, not necessarily all patients will have the effects listed.
The main adverse symptoms that the drug can cause are:
- Bronchitis;
- Sinusitis;
- Fever;
- Headache;
- Dizziness;
- Cough
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
Reactivation of the Hepatitis B virus may also have an effect on carriers of this virus. Therefore, it is important to inform the doctor if the individual has or has had Hepatitis B.
Remicade fattening?
No . There is no evidence that using Remicade directly causes weight gain.
Remicade causes hair to fall out
No . There is no evidence that the use of the drug causes hair loss .
Price and where to buy?
Remicade is a high-cost drug. Its value can vary between R $ 3000 and R $ 5000.
It can be found in physical pharmacies with a white prescription, in which there is no need for retention.
People who need the remedy can apply for funding from the courts. In such cases, it is necessary to enter the process and submit a quote.
To do this in a simple and easy way, Consulta Remédios offers a assistance channel for high-cost medication budgets. Just access the link and fill out the form!
Is Remicade offered by SUS?
No . Remicade is not offered by sus.
The active ingredient Infliximab was distributed by the Unified Health System until 2018.
In 2019, the Ministry of Health stopped supplying the drug.
Inflammatory diseases are more common than you think.
According to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in Brazil, there are about 150 thousand cases per year related to rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
For these diseases, there are remedies like Remicade. The Healthy Minute brings other information about medicines and diseases. Check out!