Guest guest Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 I never got relief from Remicade along with MTX. I was on Remicade all of 2002. Started with the normal 8 week dose, then half way through the year, I switched to every 6 weeks with a double dose. It cost $6300.00 every 6 weeks. I tried Enbrel in January of this year, and by Feb. I was a new person. THen in the middle of April Enbrel just up and quit. Last week I started Humira, and I hope it works. I have been on MTX since Dec. 2001. I have not stopped MTX with any of the drugs I mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2004 Report Share Posted July 31, 2004 I would like to clarify a few things on this topic. Yes, it is true that the FDA has approved Remicade (infliximab) for RA only in combination with methotrexate (MTX). To use Remicade without MTX may be unwise, but it is not illegal. It would simply be an " off-label " or " unlabeled " usage. When Remicade was being developed and tested, it was found that it does not work as well alone as it does with MTX. Presumably because Remicade is " part mouse, " without MTX to suppress a person's immune response to the Remicade itself, Remicade may begin to rapidly lose its effectiveness. Infusion reactions are also more likely without the co-administration of MTX. For people who can't use MTX, a physician has the option of prescribing another DMARD (like Arava (leflunomide) or Plaquenil(hydroxychloroquine sulfate)) to suppress the immune response to Remicade; however, data on combinations other than Remicade + MTX are lacking. As the other TNF blockers (Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab) do, Remicade inhibits the action of TNF. TNF is a cytokine protein involved in the inflammatory process, not an " infected cell. " TNF is produced by healthy people, too. It has an important role in fighting infection and cancer; however, some people with RA and other chronic, inflammatory conditions seem to have too much. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Remicade and MTX > It is mandatory according to my RA doctor that you be on MTX to be > on Remicade. You aren't supposed to take the Remicade without the > MTX. I asked her about this once because I hadn't gotten my MTX > prescription filled and felt okay with just the Remicade. She told > me that this is a rule set down by the FDA. Now if you can't take > MTX, there are other drugs that will fill the bill but your RA is > required by FDA law to have you on one of them. > > Remicade surrounds the infected cell. It does nothing to cure it. > It just doesn't let that infected cell affect your joints or bones. > To get relief from swelling you have to be on an inflammatory > medicaton and to get relief from already damaged areas you have to > be on a drug like MTX. > > I would find another RA real quick if he continues to be a jerk to > you. No doctor should act that way. Why would a patient go to a > doctor with RA symptoms and not want to be completely treated for it. > > Remicade and the other inhibitors like it - enbrel and humira - only > surroung the infected cells - they don't stop the production of more > cells or do anything to correct damaged areas. They are strictly a > preventive medication. > > My joints in my hands and feet/ankles have been damaged prior to my > going on Remicade - since being on it the damage has not increased > but the swelling and aches are still there. That is why I take the > MTX and Mobic. I was on Bextra - which I am told is a very good > anti-inflammatory but the base cutbacks on prescriptions took it off > of there list so I was switched to Mobic. > > I wish anyone good luck with their doctors but make sure that you > educate yourself about the treatments available and if you don't > have a doctor willing to discuss this with you - try and find one. > It is very difficult as there is such a minority of RA doctors. I > know it has to be hard for them to constantly see patients day after > day who don't get better but with these new drugs hopefully we won't > get worse and they are hunting for ones to not only surround the > infected cells but correct them as well. > > God bless, > Althea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2004 Report Share Posted August 1, 2004 Does anyone know where the " human part " of remicade comes from? I have to say the mouse part is really creeping me out that I have been allowing mouse to be injected into me. No wonder I feel like crap after my remicade Im putting stuff in my body that isnt supposed to be there lol So back to the human part where do they get it and what is it? Thanks Latisha <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:I would like to clarify a few things on this topic. Yes, it is true that the FDA has approved Remicade (infliximab) for RA only in combination with methotrexate (MTX). To use Remicade without MTX may be unwise, but it is not illegal. It would simply be an " off-label " or " unlabeled " usage. When Remicade was being developed and tested, it was found that it does not work as well alone as it does with MTX. Presumably because Remicade is " part mouse, " without MTX to suppress a person's immune response to the Remicade itself, Remicade may begin to rapidly lose its effectiveness. Infusion reactions are also more likely without the co-administration of MTX. For people who can't use MTX, a physician has the option of prescribing another DMARD (like Arava (leflunomide) or Plaquenil(hydroxychloroquine sulfate)) to suppress the immune response to Remicade; however, data on combinations other than Remicade + MTX are lacking. As the other TNF blockers (Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab) do, Remicade inhibits the action of TNF. TNF is a cytokine protein involved in the inflammatory process, not an " infected cell. " TNF is produced by healthy people, too. It has an important role in fighting infection and cancer; however, some people with RA and other chronic, inflammatory conditions seem to have too much. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Remicade and MTX > It is mandatory according to my RA doctor that you be on MTX to be > on Remicade. You aren't supposed to take the Remicade without the > MTX. I asked her about this once because I hadn't gotten my MTX > prescription filled and felt okay with just the Remicade. She told > me that this is a rule set down by the FDA. Now if you can't take > MTX, there are other drugs that will fill the bill but your RA is > required by FDA law to have you on one of them. > > Remicade surrounds the infected cell. It does nothing to cure it. > It just doesn't let that infected cell affect your joints or bones. > To get relief from swelling you have to be on an inflammatory > medicaton and to get relief from already damaged areas you have to > be on a drug like MTX. > > I would find another RA real quick if he continues to be a jerk to > you. No doctor should act that way. Why would a patient go to a > doctor with RA symptoms and not want to be completely treated for it. > > Remicade and the other inhibitors like it - enbrel and humira - only > surroung the infected cells - they don't stop the production of more > cells or do anything to correct damaged areas. They are strictly a > preventive medication. > > My joints in my hands and feet/ankles have been damaged prior to my > going on Remicade - since being on it the damage has not increased > but the swelling and aches are still there. That is why I take the > MTX and Mobic. I was on Bextra - which I am told is a very good > anti-inflammatory but the base cutbacks on prescriptions took it off > of there list so I was switched to Mobic. > > I wish anyone good luck with their doctors but make sure that you > educate yourself about the treatments available and if you don't > have a doctor willing to discuss this with you - try and find one. > It is very difficult as there is such a minority of RA doctors. I > know it has to be hard for them to constantly see patients day after > day who don't get better but with these new drugs hopefully we won't > get worse and they are hunting for ones to not only surround the > infected cells but correct them as well. > > God bless, > Althea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 In a message dated 31/07/2004 13:14:10 Central Standard Time, bluerose11@... writes: > It is mandatory according to my RA doctor that you be on MTX to be > on Remicade. You aren't supposed to take the Remicade without the > MTX. It is recommended, not mandatory. Altho I think when it first came out it was mandatory. I take Remicade without MTX. Cary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 i took remicade long before i went on mtx. i think for insurance purpose they want you on less expensive drugs at first before they pull out the big guns. kathy in il Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 In a message dated 01/08/2004 13:58:59 Central Standard Time, latishavallone@... writes: > I have to say the mouse part is really creeping me out that I have been > allowing mouse to be injected into me. My boyfriend and I call it my mouse juice. :>) Cary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Hi Mike, The reason for giving MTX while having Remicade infusions is to boost the anti inflamatory effect so that you do not develop allergic reactions to the remicade <What is the reason Remicade is used in combination with MTX?> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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