How is remicade administered?

Remicade is given as an intravenous infusion that lasts about two hours.

How is the dose calculated for adults and children?
A single infusion uses 3 mg of infliximab for each kilogram of body weight. The schedule begins with doses at weeks 0, 2, and 6, followed by maintenance doses every 8 weeks.

What adjustments are made when response is inadequate?
If symptoms persist, the doctor may raise the dose to 10 mg/kg or shorten the interval to every 4 weeks.

How is the infusion prepared and delivered?
A nurse mixes the powder with sterile water, dilutes it in saline, and administers it through a dedicated IV line using a filter. Vital signs are checked every 30 minutes during the infusion.

What reactions should patients watch for during treatment?
Infusion reactions such as fever, chills, chest pain, or low blood pressure can appear within two hours. Premedication with antihistamines or steroids is sometimes used to lower this risk.

How long does each visit take?
Plan on two to three hours total, including check-in, preparation, the two-hour infusion, and a short observation period afterward.

When does patent protection for Remicade end?
The main U.S. patent expired in 2018, allowing biosimilar versions such as Inflectra and Renflexis to reach the market.