Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a disease that causes both joint and skin symptoms. Inflammation from PsA causes pain and stiffness in your joints, and patches covered by red and white scaly skin that can occur anywhere on the body. Beyond the symptoms you see and feel, the disease may also be causing damage to your joints which can worsen over time.
Fortunately, there is REMICADE®. REMICADE® can provide quick symptom relief — in as few as 2 weeks for some patients. Of course, the potential impact of PsA goes beyond your day-to-day symptoms. So it’s good to know that REMICADE® can also help stop further joint damage and may improve physical function in many people with active PsA. Individual results may vary.
REMICADE® is also the only medication of its kind to require as few as 6 treatments a year as a 2-hour infusion after 3 starter doses. To learn more, visit About REMICADE® [1] and ask your doctor if REMICADE® is right for you.
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:
Also tell your doctor if you:
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:
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.
Links:
[1] http://www.remicade.com/psoriatic-arthritis/about-remicade
[2] http://www.remicade.com/psoriatic-arthritis/understanding