Infliximab Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Serious infections have been reported with use of this medicine. If you have any infection, are taking antibiotics now or in the recent past, or have many infections, talk with healthcare provider.

• Long-term use may increase your risk of cancer.

• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have multiple sclerosis or other nerve disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you live in an area with a high risk of certain types of infections, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• Hepatitis B testing may be suggested. Unrecognized hepatitis B infection may worsen during treatment.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Fever, chills, itching, hives, chest pain or pressure, or shortness of breath during infusion.

• Headache.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Cough.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

• In fistula patients, an abscess can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Signs of arthritis, fever, weight loss, chest pain or pressure, or shortness of breath if taking this medicine for Crohn's disease.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Swelling of legs or belly.

• Significant weight gain.

• Severe muscle pain or weakness.

• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.

• Not able to eat.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Sudden change in vision.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.