{"id":55744,"date":"2022-12-15T22:56:45","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T03:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=55744"},"modified":"2024-10-25T11:00:05","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T15:00:05","slug":"remicade-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/remicade-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Remicade alternatives: What can I take instead of Remicade?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Suppressing your own immune system by taking medication is naturally frightening but is absolutely necessary to control many autoimmune conditions. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, <\/span>psoriasis<\/span><\/a>, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis are all autoimmune diseases, and they stem from an immune system malfunction, which causes our immune cells to attack body parts such as bowel, joints, and skin. Remicade, a brand-name form of infliximab given intravenously, can be used to treat all of these medical conditions. Remicade is also FDA approved for use in pediatric patients ages six and older for the treatment of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. <\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the expense, its significant side effects (including the possibility of heart failure or nervous system problems), and the inconvenience of needing an intravenous infusion, you may be curious to know if an alternative to Remicade exists. The short answer is an emphatic ‘Yes,’ because there has been an impressive proliferation of these types of drugs. In fact, they pop up in commercials frequently. The long answer is more complex and worth delving into as we list the other options and hone in on the most common ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Remicade infusions: What to expect<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of Remicade?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Remicade belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor subclass of immunosuppressants. By blocking TNF, the drug disrupts the chemical messaging between the body’s immune cells, which blunts the inflammation our immune system can produce. A number of other TNF inhibitors are available if Remicade is the wrong fit for you. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, Remicade falls under the larger category of biologics, a term under the umbrella of immunosuppressants. Alternative biologics block cytokines other than TNF. Interleukins (ILs) are a diverse group of cytokines, our body’s chemical signaling proteins and interleukin inhibitors may be another option for you. Biologic medications can also interrupt immune cell function in other ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biologics may get a lot of attention, but they are far from the only choice. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are medicines composed of small molecules that block immune cell internal processes. Like TNF and IL inhibitors, JAK blockers target the root cause of autoimmune disease. Biologics modify the disease itself rather than just covering up symptoms, and this feature earns them the distinction of <\/span>disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)<\/span><\/a>. More traditional DMARDs for you to consider might include <\/span>methotrexate<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>hydroxychloroquine<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>sulfasalazine<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>leflunomide<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The classifications of immunosuppressants sound a bit like alphabet soup, with an abundance of acronyms like TNF, IL, JAK, and DMARDs. As we break the categories down to specific drugs, your options become more clear. The list is lengthy, so we will focus on a few common choices.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Remicade alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Remicade (infliximab)<\/span><\/td>\nCrohn’s disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n3 or 5 mg\/kg of body weight infused intravenously every 6 or 8 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nRemicade coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Renflexis (infliximab)<\/span><\/td>\nCrohn’s disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n3 or 5 mg\/kg of body weight infused intravenously every 6 or 8 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nRenflexis coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humira (adalimumab)<\/span><\/td>\nCrohn’s disease, moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg injected subcutaneously (SC) every 2 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nHumira coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enbrel (etanercept)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n50 mg SC weekly<\/span><\/td>\nEnbrel coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Simponi (golimumab)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe ulcerative colitis, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n50 or 100 mg SC every 4 weeks <\/span><\/td>\nSimponi coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cimzia (certolizumab)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe Crohn’s disease, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n200 or 400 mg SC every 2 or 4 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nCimzia coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stelara (ustekinumab)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe Crohn’s disease, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n45 or 90 mg SC every 8 or 12 weeks dependent on weight and diagnosis<\/span><\/td>\nStelara coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cosentyx (secukinumab)<\/span><\/td>\nAnkylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n150 or 300 mg SC every 4 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nCosentyx coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taltz (ixekizumab)<\/span><\/td>\nAnkylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg SC every 4 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nTaltz coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tremfya (guselkumab)<\/span><\/td>\nPsoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n100 mg SC every 8 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nTremfya coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Skyrizi (risankizumab)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, severe chronic plaque psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n150, 180, or 360 mg SC every 12 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nSkyrizi coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Orencia (abatacept)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n125 mg SC once weekly<\/span><\/td>\nOrencia coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xeljanz XR (extended-release tofacitinib)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe ulcerative colitis, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n11 mg orally once daily<\/span><\/td>\nXeljanz XR coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arava (leflunomide)<\/span><\/td>\nModerate to severe rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n10 to 20 mg orally once daily<\/span><\/td>\nArava coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trexall (methotrexate)<\/span><\/td>\nRheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n7.5 to 25 mg orally once a week<\/span><\/td>\nTrexall coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rasuvo (methotrexate)<\/span><\/td>\nRheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriasis<\/span><\/td>\n7.5 to 25 mg SC once weekly<\/span><\/td>\nRasuvo coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)<\/span><\/td>\nRheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus<\/span><\/td>\n200 or 400 mg orally once daily<\/span><\/td>\nPlaquenil coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Azulfidine (sulfasalazine)<\/span><\/td>\nMild to moderate ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease (<\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a>), rheumatoid arthritis (off-label) <\/span><\/td>\n500 mg orally every 6 hours for ulcerative colitis<\/span><\/td>\nAzulfidine coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to Remicade<\/span><\/h3>\n