Inflectra (Infliximab-dyyb) for Spondylitis

Overview
Inflectra is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis. Inflectra may be referred to by its drug name, Infliximab-dyyb.

Inflectra is a biosimilar of Remicade. As defined by the FDA, a biosimilar is a biological product that is approved based on a showing that it is highly similar to an already-approved biological product.

Inflectra is an immunomodulator, or drug that modulates the immune system. It is considered a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It is a genetically engineered antibody used by the immune system to identify and neutralize substances. Inflectra is believed to work by attaching to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical messenger involved in autoimmune attacks. Inflectra binds to TNF-α and prevents it from signaling the immune system to attack.

How do I take it?
Inflectra is administered as an intravenous infusion in a medical setting every six or eight weeks after initial loading doses.

Inflectra is available in vial form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Inflectra lists common side effects including headache, cold and flu symptoms, infusion reactions, and abdominal pain.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Inflectra include blood disorders, severe infections, increased risk for certain types of cancer, liver or heart failure, severe allergic reactions, and the development of lupus-like syndrome or demyelinating disease such as multiple sclerosis.

For answers to frequently asked questions about exposure to Infliximab during pregnancy and breastfeeding, visit the experts at MothertoBaby.org.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Inflectra – Pfizer
http://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/i...