Infliximab for Crohn's Disease User Reviews

• Soc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2021

"Insurance forced me to switch to Inflectra due to being cheaper for them for my Crohn's. I did not have a say, and insurance won't listen to Dr. recommendations. While on Remicade, I only had flare-ups 3 days a month during my period, but no other issues or side effects. Yet after only 2 infusions on Inflectra, I have multiple daily loose stools regardless of a healthy diet, as well as bloody stools at least once a day. In addition to Inflectra not preventing flare-ups, inflammation, and symptoms, Inflectra has incurred more issues that I didn't have previously: kidney pain, rib pain, joint pain: shoulders, wrists, ankles, nausea, headaches, severe fatigue, Charlie horse cramping in my hands, where I can't move my thumb; it's completely contracted. I'm in my early 40s with a toddler to try to keep up with, as well as a career to maintain, and this isn't fair to me or my family."

• KPa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2020

"I have fistulizing Crohn's, dx'd 6 yrs ago @ 36yo - 11 surgeries since then: abscesses, fistulae, drains. Years of my life, my career, independence, and ability to have biological children lost, but Remicade saved my life. I've been in remission since early 2018. Trough levels in high 20's. At JUST that time, my insurance made a mandatory switch: ALL patients on Remicade to Inflectra. Since that time, trough levels have steadily dropped to where I'm near rejection & TERRIFIED to start developing abscesses & fistulas again - I'd rather die. Seriously. I'm now writing to the Medicare Commissioner, who's probably some paper pusher w/o any IBD training, to SAVE MY LIFE & give back my Remicade. Insanity. My doctor is writing a letter on my behalf, but she told me that she has been denied EVERY SINGLE TIME she's requested her patients moved BACK to Remicade. It's criminal that insurance companies pick drug therapy for a disease that literally BURROWS HOLES through my body. I am only 42 & deserve a chance."

• fes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2013

"First couple trips are the worst, but after that, it becomes a routine and it works wonders. I'm not lying, it gave me my life back until my insurance couldn't pay. Now I use Humira, no competition. Remicade, hands down. So if you are doing bad, try it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2020

"I was forced to switch biologics due to the insurance company wanting to save some money. I was finally feeling somewhat normal after being on Remicade for a year. Now I am taking Inflectra and have been feeling awful. In and out of cramping, zero energy, nauseous all the time, and a few other issues. I would like to think my health is more important than my insurance company saving a few dollars."

• Vin...
• June 2, 2023

"My experience with Inflectra started pretty well. I was able to eat the foods I 'wanted' to eat, keeping my inflammation to a minimum. It started to go downhill after a year, weirdly, it wasn’t my Crohn's that was causing the problems. I started to notice delayed healing in my injuries. I talked to my doctor, and he claimed it was because I was aging. I was 25 years old, so to me, this didn’t make sense because I should be in my prime. Next, I started to notice hair falling out of my head, this wasn’t thinning or male pattern baldness, this was alopecia areata. I talked to my doctor, and he said this wasn’t because of the medication, he claimed it was normal for people with Crohn's to get this type of condition… I’ve had Crohn's at this point for 11 years of my life, and even during my worst flare-up and my worst point of being malnourished and underweight, I've NEVER experienced hair loss. Since stopping meds, I’ve noticed hair regrowth."

• Jos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2019

"There should be a class action lawsuit against Remicade. After 9 months of being on it for Crohn's, I developed drug-induced lupus. I was in my 30s and felt like I was 90. I couldn't get out of a chair. My hands curled up, and I had to get shots in my back and hands. This drug nearly killed me. My doctor kept pushing me to his physician's assistant and wouldn't see me."

• Ant...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 21, 2023

"Inflectra helped me manage my Crohn’s after prednisone. Soon after starting, I developed an anal fistula. I continued my treatment, then I noticed a pimple on my nose that wouldn’t go away. Since these symptoms weren’t a huge deal, I continued my treatment, waiting on a dermatologist to check for skin cancer. Throughout treatment, I noticed my hair thinning. I thought nothing of it until it stopped growing back. I’ve also developed alopecia areata during treatment with Pfizer’s Inflectra. I wanted to give this medication 2 or 3 out of 10 because it worked at first, but I don’t think a few years of no symptoms is worth what I’m going through now. I would appreciate it if we stop re-creating bio-similar meds to save money for insurance companies and higher profits for big pharma."

• Ken...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 18, 2018

"I went on this medicine in 2003 because of disease in my ileum. I was diagnosed with Crohn's the year before, and nothing had worked - Asacol, prednisone, Imuran. Then Remicade was a LIFESAVER! I actually could live my life like a normal person again! I had a hard time scheduling my infusions because I was in college, so my advice would be to get it as close to your due date (7 weeks, 8 weeks, etc.) as you can so you can get ahead of the flare. I've noticed that if I get my Remicade late, I feel pretty terrible until my next dose. I've never gotten sick or had an allergic reaction from it, and I've been on it for 15 years. It's not working as well as it once did, so I'm hoping I can change to a shot so I don't have to sit through an infusion. If you're considering going on Remicade, I highly recommend it. It helped me live a semi-normal life. However, I did develop psoriasis about 10 years ago. I'd happily take psoriasis if it means I can be on Remicade. Best of luck!"

• Par...
• August 1, 2020

"I have been living with Crohn’s for 20 years. I was in remission with Remicade for 7 years, but after I started having flare-ups, I switched to Humira, which didn’t work for me. I ended up with an ostomy. About a couple of months ago, I started getting a skin rash, and blood work showed signs of active Crohn's. I asked my doctor to try Remicade again, but my doctor recommended an alternative, Inflectra. I got the first injection 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure dropped to the point I couldn’t drive home. I was very tired the next day, but felt okay after that. A couple of nights ago, I had to go to the ER. Severe joint pain, sore throat, swelling in my face and hands, and fever. In the matter of 3 hours, I was in so much pain I couldn’t move. Worst experience ever. For insurance companies, it costs way less than Remicade, but I am not putting myself at risk and getting the second injection."

• Rox...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 21, 2024

"Have been on Remicade for 24 years, was relieved of all Crohn's symptoms after the first infusion after having Crohn's for 40 years. Never needed surgery, also never had side effects except for a mild headache and chills after the first few infusions. I find Remicade to be a great medicine for those that tolerate it, some people it doesn’t work on, which I find unusual, but everyone is different and I am one of those people that can’t tolerate many meds due to reactions. Remicade has had a good effect on my disease. I take 400 mg every 8 weeks."

• Tes...
• October 25, 2019

"I was on this for about 3 months, and I felt awful almost every time. After an infusion, I ended up in the hospital. I decided it wasn't for me, even though my Dr. tried to force it on me. I now have rheumatoid arthritis and a constant cough. I don't advise this drug."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2021

"Terrible side effects approximately 2 weeks after each infusion (2 total). Developed UTI after both infusions and required antibiotics to treat. Sinus infection developed after 2nd infusion. Incredibly tired all the time, joint pain, muscle aches, and return of Crohn's abdominal pain. It’s a complete nightmare. Biosimilar in this instance is a joke. Nothing similar."

• Pen...
• April 23, 2020

"I have Crohn's. Had symptoms when I was 2 years old, but was misdiagnosed for 5 years. I was officially diagnosed at age 7. I tried a lot of medicines as a child, but when I got a blockage located where the small and large intestines meet, it was time for Remicade or surgery. At that time, Remicade was new. My parents made the best choice and chose Remicade. I was 12 when I started and have been on it for 11 years. Yes, it's longer than I should be on it, but I was finally given a life. My intestines look like I've never had Crohn's. There were side effects, and over the years they increased. Now my body has gotten used to the Remicade. At age 23, it has spread to 3 of the 4 saliva glands in my mouth, blisters in my mouth/throat, and facial swelling. Other than these beauty flaws, my gut looks great! Long story short, my antibodies are fighting the Remicade, and I must face my fear and try something new."

• Bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2018

"Got this med two times. The first time I used it, I got just a little cough, but a couple of days later, I couldn't walk at all, and the pain was really bad. Went to the hospital, nothing found. The pain eased, so I tried another time, and my airways closed up. After a couple of years after this, my hips still hurt, can't get up from bed or chair every time by myself. This shouldn't be used."

• Don...
• October 9, 2017

"I was on Remicade for five years, and the Crohn's disease went into remission, but it did a number on my immune system. I got a staph infection and eventually a septic hip. I had to have hip surgery, which consisted of a spacer for six months, as well as medication through a PICC line. I was in the hospital for three and a half months and nearly another three months at home before I was in a condition to have a hip replacement. I also have kidney disease, which is partly due to the medications I took while fighting Crohn's disease. Just waiting to die and get these diseases over with. Really consider the side effects of Remicade - septic hip was not mentioned."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2023

"Diagnosed 20 years ago with Crohn's. Took Remicade until last year when I was forced to switch to Inflectra, then forced to switch to Avsola. I have no side effects and it is working excellent for me. Very happy so far."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2022

"Insurance forced me to switch from Remicade to Inflectra four months ago. I have Crohn's disease and was first diagnosed at age 19. Remicade worked well for me. When I was told to switch, I had just had an excellent report from my latest colonoscopy. Now the symptoms are back at a level I have not experienced in years. Trough level is 2. I don't know from day to day if I can travel or even visit family or friends. I would not call this drug similar to Remicade!"

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2016

"I have a perianal problem with my Crohn's... Remicade helped me a lot, I have less diarrhea... But... I'm very tired all the time... I have sinus infections every 6 weeks... eye infections... and a urinary infection. I don't know if I want to continue... My Crohn's is better, but I'm sick all the time."

• Cin...
• August 3, 2017

"Who is responsible for the patient who got very ill after using Remicade for Crohn's? I now have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus with fungal infection, which I will have for the rest of my life. I had to retire early from work, on disability. My quality of life is not so good... I have tried, but Janssen Pharma Company, who produces Remicade, was like, so sorry... That was it. Not even helping me with medical care for the rest of my life. Rotten, really is rotten. So back to, who is responsible?"

• Don...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2024

"I was on Remicade for about 18 years (along with azathioprine). Started at 8-week intervals, then went to 7, 6, and then 4. It changed my life. I could do things I wasn't able to before. Due to insurance reasons, I went to Inflectra and then to Avsola (both of which I believe are biologically similar to Remicade). I had Crohn's for 15 (miserable) years before being introduced to Remicade. I can't imagine life without it."

• Dan...
• April 2, 2016

"After a year or more on totally ineffective Humira, I was put on Remicade. It has been effective for the most part. I am on the max dosage every 4 weeks. About 4 to 5 days before my infusion, I develop my typical Crohn's symptoms, which mostly involve pain. I had one blood test that indicated I was metabolizing the medication more quickly than normal. If this problem persists, I will be tested again to see if I have developed antibodies to the drug. Besides Humira being a total bust, I react with high fever and chills to 6-MP. Prior to the Humira, I had a resection of a foot of my ileum. I don't have any side effects from the Remicade, just the issue I mentioned."

• Jef...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2023

"I was diagnosed with Crohn's the last week of 2022 after spending the year with frequent, urgent visits to the toilet. After the first starter dose, I woke up the next morning feeling 100% better. It is like someone turned the clock back 10-15 years. Thank you Avsola."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2022

"After being on oral medications the first three years after being diagnosed with Crohn’s, I was put on Inflectra after developing a fistula. I have been on Inflectra for two years now. It has worked wonders! Life is normal again, with no more fistula problem and only a one-week flare-up resolved with the next dosage of Inflectra. Inflectra is less expensive than other similars, but that doesn’t make it bad."

• Rac...
• October 26, 2016

"When I started Remicade, I felt amazing very quickly and even decided that I was able to start living my life again. Unfortunately for me and my new boyfriend, all the Remicade was really doing was masking my symptoms, my Crohn's was very much still active, as I found out on my 25th birthday when I was admitted to the hospital and then sent to a more qualified hospital, as I live in a small town. I was in the hospital for almost 2 months at this point, trying various ways to try and get my Crohn's under control to no avail. I ended up having my second surgery at that point and less than a year later having my third surgery. Remicade just wasn't worth the $4000 per infusion in the end for me."

• Bob...
• October 17, 2017

"I was on Remicade for about 4 plus years, maybe 5. This medicine does a number on your immune system. When I started taking the medicine, there were no warnings like there are now. But I basically felt great. I live in the Midwest, played hockey, get with this stuff. The problem was I traveled west to Nevada and got Valley Fever. Well, I had surgery about 4 months after being in Nevada, and Midwest doctors had no idea. Well, come to say I had my intestine removed to remove narrowing but was unable to take Valley Fever pills and pills to stop Crohn's from coming. But Valley Fever would kill me as Crohn's would just be pain. So long story short, don't go or live in fungical areas and take this unless you don't value your life, and that will take you down."