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Remicade Drug Interactions

by on July 24, 2012

Some medications are known to interact with Remicade. These drugs can either potentiate or reduce the pharmacologic action of Remicade, and possibly increasing your risk for side effects. People taking Remicade should be aware of the drugs that can potentially react when combined with it.

Significant Drug Interactions

Some of the drugs that can interact with Remicade include:

Certain drugs for rheumatoid arthritis – Some of the drugs for rheumatoid arthritis can potentiate the action of Remicade, possibly increasing your risk for infection. In general, these medications should not be taken along with Remicade.

  • Abatacept (Orencia)
  • Anakinra (Kineret)
  • Etanercept (Enbrel)
  • Tocilizumab (Actemra)

Certain immunosuppresant drug – Caution should be taken when using Remicade with other immunosuppresants. There have been case reports of patients experiencing severe and fatal form of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma following concomitant use of azathioprine and Remicade particularly among young males being treated for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Healthcare providers should carefully consider the risks before making any recommendations about combining these two medications.

  • Azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan)

Live vaccines – Live vaccines contain weakened bacteria or viruses and are used for immunizations. Since Remicade lowers your immune system, receiving live vaccines can potentially get you infected with the virus or disease. Also, Remicade can make the immunization less effective. Therefore, people on Remicade treatment should not receive live vaccinations throughout the treatment.

  • BCG vaccine
  • Polio vaccine
  • Smallpox vaccine
  • Rotavirus vaccine
  • Chickenpox vaccine
  • Yellow fever vaccine
  • MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella vaccine)

Certain chemotherapeutic agents - Caution should be taken when using Remicade with certain chemotherapeutic agents. There have been case reports of patients experiencing severe and fatal form of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma following concomitant use of mercaptopurine and Remicade particularly among young males being treated for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Healthcare providers should carefully consider the risks before making any recommendations about combining these two medications.

  • Mercaptopurine (Purinethol)

Medications and phototherapy for psoriasis – Certain medications for psoriasis have the same effects as with Remicade. Combining them with Remicade can potentiate the effects of the drug possibly increasing the risk of side effects. Using phototherapy while taking Remicade may increase your risk of skin cancer.

This drug information guide may not contain all the drugs that can potentially interact with Remicade. Tell your healthcare provider all drugs (both prescription and nonprescription, including vitamins, herbal supplements and natural health products) that you currently and normally take. Do not start taking any new medication unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider.

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