Can you have more than one treatment course of Remicade? A course of treatment being a year long series of infusions to get into remission...if you come out of remission at a later date can you undergo Remicade infusions again? I was told by someone getting Remicade that once you stop treatments you cannot go back on later because your body will have built up antibodies to it? Has anyone experienced this or does anyone have any info about multiple courses of treatment? My son is getting infusions now for Crohn's but was told if he is in remission at the end of one year he would no longer need the infusions???? He will just continue with the Imuran. Right now he is receiving both and doing well. Just wondering what his options will be if he comes out of remission?

Thanks for any help!
Lynne

I was told when I started remicade it was like a marriage. Not like other drugs that you can just start and stop at will. Its true that it is likely that his body will develop antibodies to it if he stops taking it and will not have a postitive reaction if he has to start again. I don't think it is absolutely certain though. Some people develop antibodies after only a few treatments or have such bad reactions that they stop taking it before the course is up.
I just had my 3rd infusion and I find that all my body aches, I'm exhausted and I get a migraine within 20 hours, I'm going to ask my GI about switching to Humira which is another biologic therapy. This may be an option for your son if he cannot continue on Remicade.

I wish I had a better answer for you.

Good luck

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katie

Katie

Thanks for the info on Remicade. I hope you are feeling better. My son says he always feels lousy for a day or so after the infusions too. He is away at college so I am not exactly sure what symptoms he has other than feeling "off" after the infusion. He has been on the Remicade since last August and was told he would be on it for one year. I am hoping he will be in remission by then and that it will last a long time but if not????? I guess Humira might be an option????? He has not had any significant reactions to the Remicade that I know of.

Thanks again and I do hope you are feeling better and that you are able to find a treatment that works for you.

I can't add much more, but my understanding is that if tolerated, they tend to just keep going on a maintenance schedule. Approval of Humira for Crohn's is right around the corner, so it may be a good alternative. Remicade is mouse protein, so more likely to cause allergic reaction/antibody formations. Humira is fully humanized protein, so tends to be better tolerated. Plus, it is by self injection, shorter half life (so quicker to get out of the body if you do need to stop it for side effects or infection).

I use it for my enteropathic arthritis.

Jan

I have stopped and started Remicade 3 different times now over the last 5 years and have never had a problem. The possibility is there, but I think it's there at any point in therapy.

quote:

Remicade is mouse protein

Eeeewwww!

Hey, that explains my strange cravings for cheese!!