Remicade Drug Interactions

Other Biological Products: The combination of REMICADE with other biological products used to treat the same conditions as REMICADE is not recommended [see Concurrent Administration with Other Biological Products under Precautions].
An increased risk of serious infections was seen in clinical studies of other TNF blockers used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added clinical benefit. Because of the nature of the adverse reactions seen with these combinations with TNF blocker therapy, similar toxicities may also result from the combination of anakinra or abatacept with other TNF blockers. Therefore, the combination of REMICADE and anakinra or abatacept is not recommended [see Concurrent Administration with Other Biological Products under Precautions].
The concomitant use of tocilizumab with biological DMARDs such as TNF antagonists, including REMICADE, should be avoided because of the possibility of increased immunosuppression and increased risk of infection.
Methotrexate and Other Concomitant Medications: Specific drug interaction studies, including interactions with methotrexate (MTX), have not been conducted. The majority of patients in RA or CD clinical studies received one or more concomitant medications. In RA, concomitant medications besides MTX were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), folic acid, corticosteroids and/or narcotics. Concomitant CD medications were antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, 6-MP/AZA and aminosalicylates. In PsA clinical trials, concomitant medications included MTX in approximately half of the patients as well as NSAIDs, folic acid and corticosteroids. Concomitant MTX use may decrease the incidence of anti-infliximab antibody production and increase infliximab concentrations.
Immunosuppressants: Patients with CD who received immunosuppressants tended to experience fewer infusion reactions compared to patients on no immunosuppressants [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions]. Serum infliximab concentrations appeared to be unaffected by baseline use of medications for the treatment of CD including corticosteroids, antibiotics (metronidazole or ciprofloxacin) and aminosalicylates.
Cytochrome P450 Substrates: The formation of CYP450 enzymes may be suppressed by increased levels of cytokines (e.g., TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IFN) during chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is expected that for a molecule that antagonizes cytokine activity, such as infliximab, the formation of CYP450 enzymes could be normalized. Upon initiation or discontinuation of REMICADE in patients being treated with CYP450 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, monitoring of the effect (e.g., warfarin) or drug concentration (e.g., cyclosporine or theophylline) is recommended and the individual dose of the drug product may be adjusted as needed.
Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents: It is recommended that live vaccines not be given concurrently with REMICADE. It is also recommended that live vaccines not be given to infants after in utero exposure to infliximab for at least 6 months following birth [see Vaccinations and Use of Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents under Precautions].
It is recommended that therapeutic infectious agents not be given concurrently with REMICADE [see Vaccinations and Use of Live Vaccines/Therapeutic Infectious Agents under Precautions].