Remicade Information

Remicade Controversy

The controversy involving Centocor's Remicade is that the drugs are tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents. In large amounts, TNF triggers joint inflammation but also helps combat infections. Because of this, TNF inhibitors increase the risk of infection, especially in elderly patients taking immune-system-suppressing treatments for other conditions. Remicade issued black box warnings for the drug's label in August after 84 cases of tuberculosis, including 14 fatalities, were associated to the drug. The warning, which came in cooperation with the FDA, also instructed physicians to screen patients for tuberculosis and treat any infections prior to prescribing Remicade. Other risks involved with Remicade are various other opportunistic infections, like the serious lung infection pneumocystis.

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