For Children and Teens With PUC

Having pediatric ulcerative colitis (PUC) doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun of being a kid. You don’t have to worry about having symptoms all the time. The important thing to remember is to be open and honest, and to discuss how you’re feeling with your parents and your doctor. They want to know how your symptoms are affecting your life, so they can help find the best care and treatment for you.

It can also be helpful to let other adults like your teachers and the school nurse know you have PUC. That way, they’ll understand when you’re not feeling well.

So what is REMICADE^®?

REMICADE^® is a type of medication that works by blocking a protein in your body that causes inflammation [1] in your intestines. This inflammation contributes to the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. REMICADE^® helps reduce inflammation.

How does it work?

Only a doctor or nurse can give you REMICADE^®. That means you have to go to your doctor’s office or a place called an infusion center to get it. They’ll hook up an IV infusion [2] to your arm or hand to let the medication drip in, kind of like you’ve seen on TV.

We know it’s kind of unusual to get medication through an IV. When medication is infused, it goes straight into your bloodstream and gets to work. Getting an infusion may seem weird at first, but you’ll have someone nearby during the infusion.

Please read the Medication Guide [3] for REMICADE^® and talk to your parents and your doctor about it.

How long does an infusion take?

Your infusion with REMICADE^® will take at least 2 hours, so you’ll have time to kick back, relax, listen to the latest tunes, or even do a little schoolwork while you receive your infusion. So be sure to wear comfortable clothes.

How often do I have to have infusions?

After the 3 starter doses, you will only receive REMICADE^® once every 8 weeks [4]. That’s about every 2 months, or 6 times a year.

How long will I feel better?

In a 1-year study of children with PUC, many felt symptom relief within 2 weeks of their first treatment. And for most children who continued treatment with REMICADE^® every 8 weeks, symptom relief was seen at the end of the study.

How should I talk to my friends about PUC?

Having PUC is pretty personal, and you probably feel a little self-conscious about it. Discussing it can be uncomfortable, so you may only want to talk with your family and closest friends. Or maybe you want to tell everybody so you don’t have to worry about keeping it a secret. Whatever you decide to do is the right choice because it’s your choice.

Here are a few ideas that can help make it easier to tell your friends about PUC:

Speak from your heart: If you’re nervous about talking about PUC, say so. Real friends will appreciate your honesty
Think about what you want to say: Maybe you want to say that PUC is a serious condition that causes you to have stomach pain and makes you really tired. Maybe not. But figuring it out ahead of time will make it easier to talk about
Explain the symptoms: Everyone can relate to stomach pain, fevers, and fatigue. As quiet as they may keep it, most of your friends can relate to having diarrhea, too, but how much you share is totally up to you
Answer questions: It’ll stop your friends’ imaginations from running wild, and let you know if they understand what you’ve been saying. The main thing they’ll probably want to know is that PUC is not contagious—they cannot catch it from you
Try to have a sense of humor: If you can make a joke or laugh, chances are you can make your friends feel more at ease, too

NEXT : FAQs [4]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Only your doctor can recommend a course of treatment after checking your health condition. REMICADE^® (infliximab) can cause serious side effects such as lowering your ability to fight infections. Some patients, especially those 65 years and older, have had serious infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body, including tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis. Some of these infections have been fatal. Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with REMICADE^®.

Unusual cancers have been reported in children and teenage patients taking TNF-blocker medicines. Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of fatal lymphoma, has occurred mostly in teenage or young adult males with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who were taking REMICADE^® and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including REMICADE^®, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase.

You should discuss any concerns about your health and medical care with your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor before I take REMICADE^®?

You should let your doctor know if you have or ever had any of the following:

Tuberculosis (TB) or have been near someone who has TB. Your doctor will check you for TB with a skin test. If you have latent (inactive) TB, you will begin TB treatment before you start REMICADE^®.
Lived in a region where certain fungal infections like histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis are common.
Infections that keep coming back, have diabetes or an immune system problem.
Any type of cancer or a risk factor for developing cancer, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or had phototherapy for psoriasis.
Heart failure or any heart condition. Many people with heart failure should not take REMICADE^®.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or think you may be a carrier of HBV. Your doctor will test you for HBV.
Nervous system disorders (like multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Also tell your doctor if you:

Use the medicines Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept) or Actemra (tocilizumab) or other medicines called biologics used to treat the same problems as REMICADE^®.
Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breast-feeding, or have a baby and were using REMICADE^® during your pregnancy. Tell your baby’s doctor about your REMICADE^® use before the baby receives any vaccine because of an increased risk of infection for up to 6 months after your last dose of REMICADE^® you received during your pregnancy.
Adults and children should not receive a live vaccine while taking REMICADE^®.

What should I watch for and talk to my doctor about before or while taking REMICADE^®?

The following serious (sometimes fatal) side effects have been reported in people taking REMICADE^®.

You should tell your doctor right away if you have any of the signs listed below:

Infections (like TB, blood infections, pneumonia)—fever, tiredness, cough, flu, or warm, red or painful skin or any open sores. REMICADE^® can make you more likely to get an infection or make any infection that you have worse.
Lymphoma, or any other cancers in adults and children.
Skin cancer—any changes in or growths on your skin.
Heart failure—new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
Reactivation of HBV—feeling unwell, poor appetite, tiredness, fever, skin rash and/or joint pain.
Liver injury—jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark brown urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, or severe tiredness.
Blood disorders—fever that doesn’t go away, bruising, bleeding or severe paleness.
Nervous system disorders—numbness, weakness, tingling, changes in your vision or seizures.
Allergic reactions during or after the infusion—hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of face and hands, and fever or chills.
Lupus-like syndrome—chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. The more common side effects with REMICADE^® are respiratory infections (that may include sinus infections and sore throat), headache, rash, coughing and stomach pain.
Psoriasis—new or worsening psoriasis such as red scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

For more information, please download the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and discuss it with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.