Drug Warning: Remicade

Generic name: infliximab (class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors)

Manufactured and marketed by: Centocor, Inc., a division of Johnson and Johnson

Purpose: Designed to block a protein in the body known as tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, which is believed to cause inflammation in the body.

Side Effects Reported

• Some of the common side effects of Remicade may include stomach pain, headache, rash, back pain, and respiratory infections, including sinus infections.
• Remicade is linked to some very harmful side effects including serious infections, heart failure, blood problems, cancer, nervous system disorders, and liver problems.
• Medications that affect the immune system like Remicade may make the patient more susceptible to infection including very serious infections including tuberculosis.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also referred to as the CDC, 12 cases of tuberculosis were reported between January of 2002 and August 2003, in patients who had used Remicade or Enbrel.
• Two of the twelve patients who were diagnosed with tuberculosis died after undergoing treatment for the lung disease.

Industry Report

Remicade may also be linked to severe liver damage. Some patients who experienced severe liver damage were forced to receive a liver transplant due to the liver disease, and some patients died as a result of acute liver failure. Some reports indicate that liver failure has occurred in 35 patients worldwide since Remicade was approved. It is estimated that 576,000 patients were treated during that time period.

Remicade may be linked to increased instances of the blood cancer lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Reports have indicated that Remicade may increase the risk of lymphoma three-fold, when compared to people not taking the medicine. In 2004, the FDA asked Centocor to include a warning for Remicade, identifying the possible increased risk of lymphoma.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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