Inflectra is a biosimilar medicine to Remicade (infliximab). A biosimilar has been shown to be highly similar to an already-approved biologic medicine in terms of quality, safety, and effectiveness. It is not a generic medicine, but an equivalent biological product made by a different manufacturer.

Inflectra (infliximab) is a TNF-alpha inhibitor that blocks tumour necrosis factor alpha, a protein that drives inflammation in several autoimmune conditions.

It is used to treat:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (usually with methotrexate)
• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Plaque psoriasis

Inflectra is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion in a hospital or infusion centre. Each infusion takes at least two hours, and you will be monitored during and after for any reactions.

Dosing varies by condition but typically follows an induction schedule (at weeks 0, 2, and 6) followed by maintenance infusions every 6 to 8 weeks.

Your infusions are scheduled in a clinic. Contact your specialist if you need to change an appointment.

In a clinical setting, dose errors are managed immediately by medical staff.

Storage is managed by the treating clinic. The powder is stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Once reconstituted and diluted, the solution should be used promptly.

Common side effects:

• Infusion reactions during or shortly after the infusion: flushing, headache, nausea, chest tightness, or drop in blood pressure. You are monitored for these during infusion
• Upper respiratory infections
• Headache

Serious side effects:

• Serious infections including tuberculosis: TB testing is mandatory before starting. Report fever, cough, night sweats, or weight loss
• Reactivation of hepatitis B
• Lymphoma and other cancers (rare, increased risk with long-term use)

Regular monitoring including blood tests is part of ongoing treatment.

• Other biologic medicines or immunosuppressants: significantly increase infection risk
• Live vaccines: cannot be given during treatment
• Methotrexate: commonly co-prescribed to improve effectiveness and reduce antibody formation
  

Inform all treating doctors that you are on infliximab.

Is Inflectra as effective as Remicade?

Yes. Inflectra has been rigorously tested and approved as a biosimilar, meaning it has been demonstrated to be highly similar to Remicade with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness. Many patients have switched from Remicade to Inflectra without any change in their disease control.

Why do I need a TB test before starting?

Infliximab suppresses the immune response and can allow latent (inactive) TB to reactivate. The TB test identifies people who carry latent TB so they can receive preventive treatment first. This is a mandatory safety requirement before starting any TNF inhibitor.

Ace provides accurate and independent information medically reviewed on prescription medications. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.