side effects of infliximab
Last reviewed 01/2018
Unwanted side-effects in trials have been found as follows:
- Infections 32% vs 22% on placebo
- Infusion related effects - fever, chills, urticaria, chest pain, hypo/hypertension, dyspnoea) - 19% vs 8% - these improved on pausing or slowing the infusion
- Other side effects included headaches, vertigo, dizziness, flushing, GI effects, liver abnormalities and fatigue
Delayed hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in Crohn's disease patients restarted on infliximab 2-4 years after an initial course.
In a study pf 428 patients given infliximab 53-68% developed antinuclear antibodies (vs 26% on placebo plus methotrexate), and 7-11% developed anti dsDNA antibodies.
A lupus-like syndrome has been described with infliximab and if this occurs the drug should be discontinued.
Risk of malignancy:
- a systematic review that there e is evidence of an increased risk of serious infections and a dose-dependent increased risk of malignancies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-TNF antibody therapy (1)
Reference: