Patients with autoimmune diseases that are not responding well to the many medications available may be given a decision to make. A doctor or gastroenterologist will give the patient information about Remicade treatments. It is overwhelming to a patient to realize that she is getting worse and that her regular medications are no longer going to work to maintain symptoms. There are a lot of considerations and it is important for a patient to learn as much as possible about Remicade when making this serious decision.
Function
Remicade Infliximab is a biomedicine or biologic. It is used to treat symptoms of the autoimmune diseases plaque psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, adult and pediatric crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and ankylosing spondylitis. These diseases cause the immune system to go into a sort of overdrive. The immune system attacks the healthy body tissue and causes inflammation. If untreated the disease influenced immune system will permanently damage the body's bones, tissue and cartilage. The diseased body has an overabundance of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF). TNF alpha is a protein which is made by select red blood cells. When it is blocked by Remicade the inflammation may be reduced giving the patient relief from painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms for a period of time.
Considerations
Remicade is a biologic, a product made from a living thing and sometimes made in a living thing. Remicade is made with the aid of mice. It was developed and is distributed by Centocor, a research and biomanufacturer which is owned by Johnson & Johnson. It is administered in a doctor's office or hospital treatment room. A patient is settled into a lounge chair. First an over-the-counter pain pill and allergy tablet is given to the patient. The administering nurse will check for fever and set the patient up with a blood pressure monitor. The biomedication is given through intravenous. This is a form of chemotherapy. The patient can expect to be in the treatment room for 3 hours on an average. The first treatment can take four hours as it is given very slowly while reaction possibilities are monitored closely. The patient is made as comfortable as possible.The nurse sees to it that the patient has a drink, snacks and explains how the IV can be moved if there is a need to go to the restroom. It is very important that the patient stays hydrated.
Benefits
Once a patient has the first two treatments a few weeks apart he or she will soon be switched to one treatment every 8 weeks. Each patient will react differently. Relief from symptoms can show up by the third or fourth treatment. Pain may decrease, inflammation subside and those with gastrointestinal distress may find that her appetite is picking up with less frequent trips to the bathroom. Remicade has given patients back some quality of life.
Warning
A patient has increased risk for infection with Remicade treatments. A TB test must be done to determine if a patient has tuberculosis present in their body. Remicade can not be administered if there is any serious infection is in the patients system. An infection could easily spread through the body resulting in hospitalization. A patient could die from this infection. When undergoing Remicade treatments a patient must pay strict attention to any signs of infection especially one that involves the lungs. Fever, extreme tiredness, a cough, flu like symptoms, warm red or painful skin are all signs to report to your Remicade nurse, physicians' assistant, doctor or gastroenterologist right away. The patient must be aware that there are possible side affects to look for from sore throat, fever, headache and rashes. One major issue is a rare and deadly liver failure which was announced in December of 2004.
Potential
Remicade treatments are an intense way for a autoimmune disease patient to gain a form of relief from intense pain, loss of a social life, failing health and even the ability to move or eat. It is a major decision to make because it can affect the rest of the patient's life. There is no cure for autoimmune diseases. Remicade has mild to serious side affects including lymphoma cancer. It is very helpful for the patient to be well informed as the decision is made. There are many pros and cons to be weighed.
Tags: Remicade treatments, autoimmune diseases, immune system, about Remicade, decision make, doctor gastroenterologist