What are the side effects of infliximab?

Infliximab (Infliximab) is an anti-TNF-α biological agent commonly used to control chronic autoimmune diseases. Although it has clear efficacy in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is also accompanied by a series of possible side effects, and its risks require continuous attention and management during the treatment process. One of the most common adverse reactions is infusion-related reactions. Since infliximab is administered as an intravenous infusion, some patients may experience symptoms such as dizziness, chills, fever, rash, chest tightness, and even hypotension during the injection process. These reactions are usually more common when the drug is first used or restarted, so doctors often recommend giving prophylactic medication, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids, before infusion to reduce the risk.

What’s more noteworthy is that the drug inhibitsTNF-α, a factor that plays an important role in regulating the body’s immune defense. Therefore, patients’ risk of infection increases significantly after using infliximab. The activation of latent tuberculosis is one of the most concerning issues, so tuberculosis screening needs to be done before medication, and anti-tuberculosis drugs should be given simultaneously when necessary. In addition, patients may be more susceptible to respiratory pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses, especially if immunosuppressants are used concomitantly.

In addition to infections, long-term use of infliximab may induce immune-related complications, including autoimmune hepatitis, lupus-like syndromes, hematological abnormalities, and demyelinating lesions of the nervous system, such as optic neuritis or multiple sclerosis-like manifestations. In rare cases, patients may develop anti-drug antibodies, which may reduce the efficacy of the drug or cause allergic reactions. For patients receiving long-term treatment, regular monitoring of liver function, blood routine, tuberculosis status, and infection indicators becomes necessary.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/infliximab.html