Inflectra is a brand-name prescription medication that’s FDA-approved to treat several long-term autoimmune conditions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Inflectra to treat the following conditions in adults:

Inflectra is also FDA-approved to treat the following conditions in children ages 6 years and older:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • ulcerative colitis

Inflectra is approved to treat the above conditions in certain situations. To learn more about these conditions and how Inflectra is used, see the “Inflectra uses” section below.

Drug details

Inflectra is a biologic drug, which means it’s made using living cells. It belongs to a class of drugs called tumor necrosis factor blockers. When prescribed for RA, Inflectra is also known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.

Inflectra comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will use the powder to make a solution. Then, they’ll give you the solution by IV infusion.

Inflectra comes in one strength: 100 milligrams (mg).

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Inflectra, see the “Inflectra uses” section below.

Inflectra is available only as a brand-name medication. The drug is not available as a generic name medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Inflectra is a biologic medication. A biologic is a drug that’s made using living cells. Unlike generic drugs, it isn’t possible to make exact copies of biologic drugs. Instead, biosimilar versions of these drugs can be made.

Inflectra contains the active ingredient infliximab-dyyb. This is a biosimilar version of infliximab, the active ingredient in the drug Remicade. The letters “dyyb” indicate the version of infliximab in Inflectra is slightly different from infliximab in Remicade.

Remicade was the first version of infliximab to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So Remicade is known as the reference or parent drug. As with Inflectra, other biosimilar versions of Remicade are available, including:

  • infliximab-axxq (Avsola)
  • infliximab-abda (Renflexis)
  • infliximab-qbtx (Ixifi)

Biosimilars are considered to be just as effective and safe as the parent drug they’re based on. As with generics, biosimilars typically cost less than the parent brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Inflectra and you’re interested in Remicade or another biosimilar, talk with your doctor. They can tell you if these drugs come in forms and strengths that can be prescribed for your condition.

The Inflectra dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the condition you’re treating with Inflectra
  • your body weight
  • how well your condition responds to treatment

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strength

Inflectra comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will use the powder to make a solution. Then, they’ll give you the solution by IV infusion.

Inflectra comes in one strength: 100 milligrams (mg).

Dosage for ulcerative colitis

The recommended dose for ulcerative colitis in adults is 5 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 132 pounds), your Inflectra dose will be 300 mg.

You’ll receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, you’ll receive one dose every 8 weeks.

Dosage for Crohn’s disease

The recommended dose for Crohn’s disease in adults is 5 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 132 pounds), your Inflectra dose will be 300 mg.

You’ll receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, you’ll receive one dose every 8 weeks.

If needed, your doctor may increase your dosage to 10 mg/kg once every 8 weeks.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

The recommended dose for rheumatoid arthritis in adults is 3 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 132 pounds), your Inflectra dose will be 180 mg.

You’ll receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, you’ll receive one dose every 8 weeks.

If needed, your doctor may increase your dosage to 10 mg/kg once every 4 or 8 weeks.

Dosage for psoriatic arthritis

The recommended dose for psoriatic arthritis in adults is 5 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 132 pounds), your Inflectra dose will be 300 mg.

You’ll receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, you’ll receive one dose every 8 weeks.

Dosage for ankylosing spondylitis

The recommended dose for ankylosing spondylitis in adults is 5 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 132 pounds), your Inflectra dose will be 300 mg.

You’ll receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, you’ll receive one dose every 6 weeks.

Dosage for plaque psoriasis

The recommended dose for plaque psoriasis in adults is 5 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 132 pounds), your Inflectra dose will be 300 mg.

You’ll receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, you’ll receive one dose every 8 weeks.

Children’s dosage

Inflectra is approved to treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in children ages 6 years and older.

For both these conditions, the recommended dose is 5 milligrams per kilogram* of body weight (mg/kg). For example, if your child weighs 30 kg (about 66 pounds), their Inflectra dose will be 150 mg.

Your child will receive one dose at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After that, they’ll receive one dose every 8 weeks.

* 1 kg is equal to about 2.2 pounds.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss an appointment for an Inflectra dose, call your doctor’s office right away to reschedule.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, be sure to put your treatment schedule on a calendar. You can also try using a medication reminder or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to receive this drug long term?

Inflectra is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Inflectra is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Inflectra and Remicade are both biologic medications. (A biologic is a drug that’s made using living cells.) However, Inflectra is slightly different from Remicade.

Inflectra contains the active drug infliximab-dyyb. It’s a biosimilar version of infliximab, the active drug in Remicade. Biosimilars are not exact copies of biologic drugs. However, they are considered to be just as effective and safe as the parent drug they’re similar to. In this case, Remicade is the parent drug to Inflectra. As with generics, biosimilars such as Inflectra typically cost less than the parent brand-name drugs.

Both Inflectra and Remicade are approved to treat the same conditions. They’re both given as IV infusions. And their dosages and dosing schedules are identical.

If you’re interested in switching from Inflectra to Remicade or vice versa, talk with your doctor.

Inflectra can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur during Inflectra treatment. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Inflectra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Inflectra, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Inflectra can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Inflectra. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Inflectra aren’t common. However, they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.
† Inflectra has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Side effects in children

Inflectra is approved to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease in children ages 6 years and older.

Side effects in children who receive Inflectra for UC are generally similar to side effects in adults who receive Inflectra for UC. However, children who receive Inflectra for Crohn’s disease may have some different side effects than adults who receive Inflectra for this condition.

In clinical trials, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults who received Inflectra for Crohn’s disease:

If you’re concerned about the risk of Inflectra side effects in your child, talk with their doctor.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Inflectra.

Infusion-related reactions

Some people may have infusion-related reactions with Inflectra. These are side effects that occur during or shortly after an infusion. (Inflectra is given by IV infusion. For more information, see the “How is Inflectra given?” section below). In clinical trials, infusion-related side effects were common with Inflectra treatment.

Symptoms of infusion-related reactions may include:

What you can do

Before you receive an Inflectra infusion, your doctor or another healthcare professional may give you certain medications. These are meant to help prevent or reduce the risk of infusion reactions. They may include:

Your doctor will monitor you for infusion reactions during and after your infusion. Be sure to tell them right away if you have any symptoms of a reaction.

If you have an infusion reaction, your doctor may give you a medication to treat the reaction. Also, they’ll likely slow down or pause your Inflectra infusion until your symptoms get better. However, if you have a severe reaction, your doctor will likely recommend stopping Inflectra treatment.

Risk of serious infection

Inflectra has a boxed warning about the risk of serious infection. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Inflectra weakens the immune system and makes it less able to fight infections. So if you become infected with a pathogen (germ), the drug may increase your risk of serious infection. This may need treatment in the hospital, and in rare cases, they may lead to death. Serious infections weren’t common in people who had Inflectra treatment in clinical trials.

Symptoms of serious infections may include:

  • fever
  • chills
  • cough
  • flu-like symptoms
  • shortness of breath or rapid breathing
  • sores on your body

Different types of serious infections have been reported in people receiving Inflectra treatment. Examples include tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia, hepatitis B, and sepsis (an extreme immune response to a serious infection). Other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that form abscesses or spread throughout your body have also been reported.

Most people who developed serious infections in clinical trials were also taking other drugs that can weaken the immune system. Examples of these drugs include methotrexate (Trexall, Rasuvo, Otrexup, others) and corticosteroids such as prednisone (Rayos).

What you can do

Before you start Inflectra, your doctor will test you for TB and the hepatitis B virus. They’ll also check you for other infections. Tell your doctor if you currently have an infection, get frequent infections, or have infections that keep coming back. If you have an infection, it’ll likely need to be treated before you start Inflectra.

Also, before you start Inflectra treatment, talk with your doctor about getting up to date with any recommended vaccines. (To read more about Inflectra and vaccines, see the “Inflectra interactions” section below.)

To help prevent infections during Inflectra treatment, try to avoid crowds and people who are sick. And be sure to wash your hands often.

If you have any symptoms of infections during Inflectra treatment, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely prescribe medication to treat the infection. If you develop a serious infection, this may need to be treated in the hospital. Your doctor will likely have you stop receiving Inflectra treatment.

Risk of certain cancers

Inflectra has a boxed warning about the risk of certain cancers. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

The cells in your body can become cancerous for a variety of reasons. Your immune system typically targets and kills these cancer cells before they form tumors. However, Inflectra works by weakening your immune system. So it may increase the risk of developing certain cancers. In clinical trials, cancer wasn’t common in people who had Inflectra treatment.

Symptoms of cancer can include:

  • changes in your skin, such as new or changing moles, patches, or growths
  • skin sores that don’t heal
  • unintentional weight loss
  • swollen lymph nodes, for example, in your neck, armpits, or groin
  • unusual lumps, bumps, or swellings that don’t go away

Inflectra is a type of drug called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. There have been reports of lymphoma, skin cancer, and certain other cancers in children and adults taking TNF blockers, including Inflectra.

Some people taking TNF blockers, including Inflectra, have died from a rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This is a type of lymphoma that grows in your lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other parts of your body. It mainly occurred in adolescent and young adult males* who took TNF blockers for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Most of these people were also taking azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) or 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan) during Inflectra treatment.

What you can do

If you’ve had cancer in the past, talk with your doctor about your risk of developing cancer with Inflectra treatment. Your doctor will regularly screen for cancer during Inflectra treatment. If you have any symptoms of cancer during Inflectra treatment, contact your doctor right away.

To help prevent cancer, you should avoid smoking and try to reach or maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. You should also avoid exposing your skin to sunlight. You can protect your skin from sunlight with clothing and sunscreen with a high SPF.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after receiving Inflectra treatment.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare. However, it is possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Inflectra, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

As with all medications, the cost of Inflectra infusions can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Before approving coverage for Inflectra, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Inflectra, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Inflectra, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Pfizer, the manufacturer of Inflectra, offers a program called enCompass. This program can help cover the cost of Inflectra for people with or without insurance. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-722-6672 or visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic or biosimilar version

Inflectra is available only as a brand-name medication. The drug is not available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Inflectra is a biologic medication. A biologic is a drug that’s made using living cells. Unlike generic drugs, it isn’t possible to make exact copies of biologic drugs. Instead, biosimilar versions of these drugs can be made.

Inflectra contains the active ingredient infliximab-dyyb. This is a biosimilar version of infliximab, the active ingredient in the drug Remicade. The letters “dyyb” indicate the version of infliximab in Inflectra is slightly different from infliximab in Remicade.

Remicade was the first version of infliximab to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So Remicade is known as the reference or parent drug. As with Inflectra, other biosimilar versions of Remicade are available, including:

  • infliximab-axxq (Avsola)
  • infliximab-abda (Renflexis)
  • infliximab-qbtx (Ixifi)

Biosimilars are considered to be just as effective and safe as the parent drug they’re based on. As with generics, biosimilars typically cost less than the parent brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Inflectra and you’re interested in receiving Remicade or another biosimilar, talk with your doctor. They can tell you if these drugs come in forms and strengths that can be prescribed for your condition. They may also prefer one version over another. You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover certain drugs.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Inflectra.

Can Inflectra cause hair loss?

No, hair loss isn’t likely. Hair loss wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Inflectra.

However, some cases of new or worsening psoriasis* have been reported in people receiving Inflectra treatment. Psoriasis can cause an itchy rash, or raised, scaly patches of skin. If psoriasis affects your scalp, this could cause clumps of hair loss. If psoriasis affects other parts of your body, it could cause hair loss there as well.

If you have hair loss during Inflectra treatment, talk with your doctor. They can determine the possible cause.

* Inflectra is approved to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. For more information, see the “Inflectra uses” section below.

Will I have fatigue from receiving Inflectra treatment?

Yes, it’s possible. Fatigue was reported by some people who had Inflectra treatment in clinical trials.

Fatigue can also be a symptom of serious side effects* that you may have with Inflectra. These include liver problems, blood disorders, and infections.*†

It’s important to note fatigue is also a common symptom of many of the conditions Inflectra is prescribed to treat.‡

If you have new or worsening fatigue during Inflectra treatment, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect.

* For more information about these side effects, see the “Inflectra side effects” section above.
† Inflectra has a boxed warning for the risk of serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
‡ To learn more about the conditions Inflectra is approved to treat, see the “Inflectra uses” section below.

For my child’s first Inflectra infusion, is there anything I should do to prepare them for their appointment?

Yes, there are several things you can do to help prepare for your child’s first Inflectra infusion.

On the day before the infusion, try to talk with your child about any questions or concerns they may have. You can encourage them to drink plenty of fluids, so they are hydrated. This can make it easier for their doctor to insert the IV for their infusion. Also, try to make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.

On the day of the infusion, try to:

  • get your child to wear loose, comfortable clothing or layers in case they get too hot or cold
  • get your child to eat breakfast
  • bring a list of your child’s current medications
  • bring them a blanket or their favorite toy
  • bring something to pass the time, such as a book or digital device
  • bring snacks and drinks

If you have any questions about the infusion procedure or any other ways you can support your child, talk with their doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Inflectra to treat certain conditions. Inflectra may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Inflectra for ulcerative colitis

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It’s approved for use when other medications haven’t worked well enough.

UC is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects your colon (large intestine) and rectum. Common symptoms include abdominal pain or cramps and diarrhea that may contain blood or mucus.

Inflectra is prescribed to induce remission (reduce active symptoms) of UC. It’s also prescribed to maintain remission (keep symptoms low in the long term).

To learn more about UC and its treatment, you can visit our IBD hub.

Effectiveness for UC

Inflectra has been found effective for treating UC. The American College of Gastroenterology guideline recommends infliximab as a treatment option for UC. Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug of Inflectra, is a biosimilar version of infliximab. So Inflectra is just as safe and effective as infliximab for UC. (For more information, see the “Inflectra generic or biosimilar” section above.)

For details on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Inflectra for Crohn’s disease

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It’s approved for use when other medications haven’t worked well enough.

Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD. It can affect any part of your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus. Common symptoms include:

  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea that may contain blood or mucus
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • anemia (low level of red blood cells)

Severe Crohn’s disease can sometimes cause fistulas. (Fistulas are passageways that form between two parts of the body that aren’t typically connected.)

Inflectra is prescribed to induce remission (reduce active symptoms) of Crohn’s disease. It’s also prescribed to maintain remission (keep symptoms low in the long term).

Inflectra is also prescribed to help heal fistulas in adults. These include fistulas that have formed between the rectum and vagina or between the intestines and the skin. And Inflectra can help prevent healed fistulas from opening again.

To learn more about Crohn’s disease and its treatment, you can visit our IBD hub.

Effectiveness for Crohn’s disease

Inflectra has been found effective for treating Crohn’s disease. The American College of Gastroenterology guideline recommends infliximab-dyyb as a treatment option for Crohn’s disease. (Infliximab-dyyb is the active drug of Inflectra.)

For information on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Inflectra for rheumatoid arthritis

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. It’s approved for use with another medication called methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo, others).

RA is a long-term condition that causes the following symptoms:

RA can also affect your eyes, heart, lungs, and skin.

Inflectra is prescribed to reduce symptoms of RA and improve your ability to carry out daily activities. It also helps prevent further damage to your joints.

To learn more about RA and its treatment, you can visit our RA hub.

Effectiveness for RA

Inflectra has been found effective for treating RA. The American College of Rheumatology guideline recommends infliximab as a treatment option for RA. Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug of Inflectra, is a biosimilar version of infliximab. So Inflectra is just as safe and effective as infliximab for RA. (For more information, see the “Inflectra generic or biosimilar” section above.)

For details on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Inflectra for psoriatic arthritis

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults.

PsA is a form of arthritis that can develop in people with the skin condition psoriasis. It causes inflammation (swelling), pain, and stiffness in your joints. It can also cause fatigue.

Inflectra is prescribed to reduce symptoms of PsA and improve your ability to carry out daily activities. It also helps prevent further damage to your joints.

To learn more about PsA and its treatment, you can visit our arthritis hub.

Effectiveness for PsA

Inflectra has been found effective for treating PsA. The American College of Rheumatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guideline recommends infliximab as a treatment option for PsA. Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug of Inflectra, is a biosimilar version of infliximab. So Inflectra is just as safe and effective as infliximab for PsA. (For more information, see the “Inflectra generic or biosimilar” section above.)

For details on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Inflectra for ankylosing spondylitis

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults.

AS is a form of arthritis that mainly affects your spine and hip joints. It causes pain and stiffness in your spine and lower back.

Inflectra is prescribed to reduce the symptoms of AS.

Effectiveness for AS

Inflectra has been found effective for treating AS. The American College of Rheumatology, Spondylitis Association of America, and Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network recommends infliximab as a treatment option for AS. Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug of Inflectra, is a biosimilar version of infliximab. So Inflectra is just as safe and effective as infliximab for AS. (For more information, see the “Inflectra generic or biosimilar” section above.)

For details on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Inflectra for plaque psoriasis

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat chronic (long-term) and severe plaque psoriasis in adults. It’s prescribed for plaque psoriasis that could benefit from systemic treatment (medications that affect your entire body). It’s also prescribed if other systemic medications are less suitable for you.

Plaque psoriasis causes thick, scaly patches called plaques to develop on your skin. In dark skin tones, the plaques may appear dark brown or purple with grey scales. In light skin tones, they may appear red or pink with white scales.

Plaque psoriasis is considered severe if it covers a large area of your body or affects your daily life.

To learn more about plaque psoriasis and its treatment, you can visit our psoriasis hub.

Effectiveness for plaque psoriasis

Inflectra has been found effective for treating plaque psoriasis. The American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines recommend infliximab as a treatment option for plaque psoriasis. Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug of Inflectra, is a biosimilar version of infliximab. So Inflectra is just as safe and effective as infliximab for plaque psoriasis. (For more information, see the “Inflectra generic or biosimilar” section above.)

For information on how the drug performed in clinical trials, see Inflectra’s prescribing information.

Inflectra and children

Inflectra is FDA-approved to treat the following conditions in children ages 6 years and older:

For both these uses, Inflectra is approved for use when other medications haven’t worked well enough. It’s prescribed to induce remission (reduce active symptoms) and maintain remission (keep symptoms low in the long term) of these conditions.

To learn more about these conditions, see just above. Or talk with your child’s doctor.

Inflectra may be prescribed with other drugs to treat your condition.

In fact, for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Inflectra is FDA-approved for use with a drug called methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo, others). Inflectra is not approved for use on its own for treating RA.

If you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, your doctor may prescribe Inflectra with other medications for your condition. These include azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) or 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan).

If you have psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or plaque psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe Inflectra with other medications. They’ll let you know if you need to take other drugs with Inflectra to treat your condition.

Inflectra and premeds

Before you receive an Inflectra infusion, your doctor or another healthcare professional may give you certain medications. These are to help prevent or reduce the risk of infusion reactions.* These medications may include:

* Inflectra is given by IV infusion and may cause infusion reactions as a side effect. To learn more see the “Inflectra side effects” section above.

Inflectra is given by IV infusion. An IV infusion is an injection into a vein (typically in your arm) that’s given over a period of time. Inflectra infusions typically take at least 2 hours.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you Inflectra infusions. You’ll typically receive your infusions in a doctor’s clinic or an infusion center. In some cases, you may be able to receive your infusions at home.

Your doctor will give you certain medications shortly before you receive Inflectra. This is to help prevent or reduce the risk of infusion-related reactions. (To learn more, see the “Inflectra side effects” section above.)

Your doctor will monitor you during your infusion and for about 1 hour after it’s ended.

When it’s given

When you first start treatment with Inflectra, you’ll receive one infusion at weeks 0 (first dose), 2, and 6. After this, you’ll typically receive one infusion every 8 weeks. For some conditions, you may receive one infusion every 4 or 6 weeks. (For more information about how often you’ll have your infusions, see the “Inflectra dosage” section above.)

To help make sure that you don’t miss an infusion, be sure to put your treatment schedule on your calendar. You can also try using a medication reminder or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Inflectra, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are prescribed off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Alternatives for ulcerative colitis

Other drugs that may be prescribed to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis include:

* This drug isn’t FDA-approved for use in children.

Alternatives for Crohn’s disease

Other drugs that may be prescribed to treat moderate to severe Crohn’s disease include:

  • adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, others)
  • azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)
  • certolizumab (Cimzia)*
  • 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)
  • methotrexate (Trexall, Rasuvo, Otrexup, others)
  • natalizumab (Tysabri)*
  • oral corticosteroids such as prednisone (Rayos)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)*
  • vedolizumab (Entyvio)*

* This drug isn’t FDA-approved for use in children.

Alternatives for rheumatoid arthritis

Other drugs that may be prescribed to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis include:

  • abatacept (Orencia)
  • adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, others)
  • certolizumab (Cimzia)
  • etanercept (Enbrel, Erelzi, Eticovo)
  • golimumab (Simponi)
  • hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
  • leflunomide (Arava)
  • methotrexate (Trexall, Rasuvo, Otrexup, others)
  • oral corticosteroids such as prednisone (Rayos)
  • sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
  • tocilizumab (Actemra)
  • tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Alternatives for psoriatic arthritis

Other drugs that may be prescribed to treat psoriatic arthritis include:

  • abatacept (Orencia)
  • adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, others)
  • certolizumab (Cimzia)

Alternatives for ankylosing spondylitis

Other drugs that may be prescribed to treat ankylosing spondylitis include:

  • adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, others)
  • certolizumab (Cimzia)
  • etanercept (Enbrel, Erelzi, Eticovo)
  • golimumab (Simponi)
  • NSAIDs such as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and celecoxib (Celebrex)

Alternatives for plaque psoriasis

Other drugs that may be prescribed to treat plaque psoriasis include:

  • adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hyrimoz, others)
  • certolizumab (Cimzia)
  • etanercept (Enbrel, Erelzi, Eticovo)
  • guselkumab (Tremfya)
  • methotrexate (Trexall, Rasuvo, Otrexup, others)
  • ustekinumab (Stelara)
  • topical corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Beta-Val, Valnac)
  • topical coal tar
  • topical retinoids such as tazarotene (Tazorac)
  • topical vitamin D analogs such as calcipotriene (Dovonex, Sorilux), and calcitriol (Vectical)

Inflectra isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, if you have headaches* during Inflectra treatment, drinking alcohol may make these worse.

Also, if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol, this can lead to liver problems. It can also weaken your immune system (your body’s defense against infection). Inflectra can also cause these side effects.* So drinking alcohol during Inflectra treatment may increase your risk of liver problems and infections.*†

If you have ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, or plaque psoriasis, drinking alcohol may worsen your symptoms.‡

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe to drink during Inflectra treatment.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Inflectra side effects” above.
† Inflectra has boxed warning for the risk of serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
‡ Inflectra is approved to treat these conditions. To learn more, see the “Inflectra uses” section above.

Inflectra can interact with several other medications and vaccines.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Inflectra and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Inflectra. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Inflectra.

Before starting Inflectra treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Due to an increased risk of side effects, doctors typically won’t prescribe Inflectra with the following drugs:

Inflectra can affect the way your body breaks down certain drugs. If you receive Inflectra with these types of drugs, your doctor may monitor you more carefully. They may adjust your dose of these drugs as needed. Examples include:

Inflectra and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Inflectra. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Inflectra treatment.

Inflectra and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Inflectra. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Inflectra, talk with your doctor.

Inflectra and vaccines

Inflectra weakens your immune system (your body’s defense against infection). It can affect the way your body responds to vaccines.

You should not get live vaccines during Inflectra treatment. Live vaccines contain live, weakened forms of bacteria or viruses that cause infection. If you have a weakened immune system, live vaccines could cause you to develop the infection they’re meant to protect you from. Examples of live vaccines include:

If you get inactivated (non-live) vaccines during Inflectra treatment, your immune system might not respond to them effectively. So these vaccines might not protect you from infection as they’re meant to do. Examples of inactivated vaccines include:

Your doctor will likely recommend that you get up to date with any recommended vaccines before you start Inflectra treatment. You can talk with your doctor to learn more.

Inflectra is approved to treat the following autoimmune conditions:

With autoimmune conditions, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in your body. This creates inflammation (swelling and damage) that causes the symptoms of these conditions.

Your immune system produces various proteins that cause inflammation. One of these proteins is called tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-alfa).

Inflectra belongs to the TNF blocker drug class. It blocks the action of TNF-alfa that’s produced by your immune system. This reduces inflammation in your body and helps reduce the symptoms of your condition.

How long does it take to work?

Inflectra starts working to reduce inflammation right after your first dose. However, it can take a few weeks before you notice symptoms easing.

It’s not known if Inflectra is safe to receive during pregnancy.

Limited information from clinical trials of females* who were given infliximab during pregnancy suggests that infliximab doesn’t cause problems with fetal development. (Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug of Inflectra, is a biosimilar version of infliximab.)† However, further clinical trials are needed to know for sure.

It’s possible that receiving Inflectra treatment during pregnancy could affect the fetus’ immune system (their body’s defense against infection). This could increase their risk of serious infections‡ after birth. It could also affect the way they respond to vaccines. (To learn more about Inflectra and vaccines, see the “Inflectra interactions” section above.)

If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of receiving Inflectra treatment. If you do receive Inflectra during pregnancy, your child should not receive live vaccines for at least 6 months after their birth.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
† For more information about biosimilars, see the “Inflectra generic or biosimilar” section above.
‡ Inflectra has a boxed warning for the risk of serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To read more about this side effect, see “Inflectra side effects” above.

It’s not known if Inflectra is safe to receive during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Inflectra treatment.

For more information about receiving Inflectra treatment during pregnancy, see the “Inflectra and pregnancy” section above.

It’s unknown if it’s safe to breastfeed during Inflectra treatment.

Inflectra may pass into your breast milk. If your child consumes the drug from your breast milk, it’s likely that their digestive system will break down most of the drug. However, it’s not known for sure if it’s safe to breastfeed during Inflectra treatment.

If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child during Inflectra treatment.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of serious infection. Treatment with Inflectra can increase your risk of serious infection. These may need treatment in hospital and can even lead to death in rare cases. Examples of these infections include tuberculosis (TB) and bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that spread throughout your body. If you develop a serious infection during Inflectra treatment, your doctor will have you stop receiving this medication.

Before you start Inflectra, your doctor will test you for TB. They’ll also check you for other infections. Tell your doctor if you currently have an infection or have infections that keep coming back. If you have an infection, it’ll likely need to be treated before you can start Inflectra.

Risk of certain cancers. Treatment with Inflectra may increase your risk of developing certain cancers. Inflectra is a type of drug called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. There have been reports of lymphoma, skin cancer, and certain other cancers in children and adults taking TNF blockers, including Inflectra.

Some people taking TNF blockers, including Inflectra, have died from a rare cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This is a type of lymphoma that grows in your lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other parts of your body. It mainly occurred in adolescent and young adult males* who took TNF blockers for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. They were also taking certain other medications.

Your doctor will regularly screen for cancer during your Inflectra treatment.

For more information about these warnings, see the “Inflectra side effects” section above.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Other precautions

Before receiving Inflectra treatment, talk with your doctor about your health history. Inflectra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Inflectra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Inflectra. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Infections. Inflectra weakens your immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight infections. Tell your doctor if you have a current infection, frequent infections, or infections that keep coming back. If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat it before you start Inflectra. If you have symptoms of an infection during Inflectra treatment, tell your doctor right away.
  • History of hepatitis B. If you’ve had a past infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), you may still have HBV in your body. Receiving Inflectra treatment could reactivate this virus, which may cause hepatitis B symptoms to re-appear. Your doctor will test you for HBV before you start Inflectra. If the HBV is reactivated, your doctor will monitor you closely during Inflectra treatment. If you start having symptoms of the virus, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop Inflectra treatment.
  • History of cancer. Inflectra may raise your risk of developing certain cancers. If you’ve had cancer in the past, talk with your doctor about whether Inflectra is right for you.
  • Heart failure. If you have heart failure, receiving Inflectra treatment could make your condition worse. Higher doses of Inflectra aren’t suitable for people with moderate or severe heart failure. If your doctor determines that Inflectra is safe for you, they’ll monitor you closely while you receive this drug. If your heart failure worsens, you’ll likely need to stop receiving Inflectra treatment.
  • Liver problems. Inflectra can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure. If you already have a liver problem, Inflectra could make your condition worse. Your doctor will monitor you closely while you receive this drug.
  • Blood disorders. Inflectra can cause blood disorders, such as low levels of white blood cells or platelets. If you already have a blood disorder, Inflectra could make your condition worse. Your doctor will order frequent blood tests to monitor your blood cells.
  • Nervous system problems. Inflectra can cause and worsen nervous system problems such as seizures, multiple sclerosis, and optic neuritis. If you have a nervous system problem, talk with your doctor about whether Inflectra is safe for you. If you receive Inflectra, your doctor will monitor your condition closely.
  • Pregnancy. It’s not known if Inflectra is safe to receive during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Inflectra and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s unknown if it’s safe to breastfeed during Inflectra treatment. For more details, see the “Inflectra and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Inflectra, see the “Inflectra side effects” section above.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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