Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Self Assessment

Medical Specialist Locator

Beneath the Skin Interactive Video

Patient Stories

REMICADE News
and Updates

A diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically comes from a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in detection and treatment of RA. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, your rheumatologist will take into account your pattern of symptoms, your medical history, x-rays, lab tests, and physical exam results.

During your physical exam, your rheumatologist will look at swollen and tender joints to determine whether you may be at risk for further joint damage.
Rheumatologists often conduct a lab test to screen for “rheumatoid factor,” an antibody found in the blood of approximately 80% of people with RA.
Once you’ve received a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, it’s important to start treating it as soon as possible because RA gets worse as time passes.

The Importance of Treating Your RA Early

Within the first few years of diagnosis, many rheumatoid arthritis patients find their activity levels dramatically reduced. And it’s typically during the early years that the joint damage begins and the disease progresses rapidly. It is therefore important to begin a treatment plan as early as possible. Though RA is a chronic condition, earlier treatment with advanced therapies, like REMICADE, can change the course of RA by helping to stop further joint damage in patients with moderate to severe RA.

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. There are reports of 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. 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 such as 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.
Nervous system disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Also tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including vaccines or Kineret (anakinra), and if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are nursing. Adults and children should not receive a live vaccine while 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 (such as 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.
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.

Medication Guide for REMICADE^®

Please read the Medication Guide for REMICADE^® and discuss it with your doctor.
(Requires Adobe^® Reader^®. Click here to download.)

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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION | Privacy Policy | Legal Notice | Site Map | About Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.

© Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. 1999-2010
This site is published by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. which is solely responsible for its contents.
It is intended for residents from the United States.
Last Updated: November 18, 2009