Inflectra 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Rea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2022

"Diagnosed 14 years ago, moderate to severe, 3 surgeries, 1 ostomy & reconnect. Since being switched to Inflectra from Remicade a year ago, health and quality of life have plummeted, I've almost literally moved into my bathroom, social life diminished, etc. I have to walk around as if my intestines are made of glass. All so the insurance company could save $200."

• Ren...
• September 11, 2023

"I was severe with Crohn's bleeding uncontrollable colon like tissue paper unable to do surgery. Due to health issues, I started on Inflector and have never felt better. I have been on it now for two years with minor Crohn's flare-ups; very low side effects tired aching and very fatigue after the infusion but within five days I feel better than normal."

• Cro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2021

"Stuff is not as good as Remicade for me."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2023

"I've had no side effects on the infusions of Inflectra"