If you have a certain autoimmune condition, your doctor might suggest Inflectra as a long-term treatment option for you.

Inflectra is a prescription medication that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults:

The drug is also used to treat the following conditions in some children:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • UC

The active ingredient in Inflectra is infliximab-dyyb. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Infliximab-dyyb is a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms.

Inflectra is given by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time). It comes in single-dose vials available in one strength: 100 milligrams (mg). For more information about Inflectra, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Inflectra infusions can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people will experience side effects from Inflectra infusions, which can be mild to serious. Examples of Inflectra’s commonly reported side effects include:

These aren’t the only side effects reported in Inflectra’s studies. Other side effects the drug may cause are discussed below.

Like most medications, Inflectra may cause mild side effects.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Inflectra include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Inflectra unless your doctor recommends it.

Inflectra may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Inflectra prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Inflectra, visit MedWatch.

Treatment with Inflectra may cause serious side effects.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Inflectra include:

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Inflectra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* Inflectra has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Inflectra is used to treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC) in children ages 6 years and older. Some reported side effects of the drug occurred more often or only in children, as discussed below.

For more information about Inflectra and side effects in children, talk with your child’s doctor.

Side effects in children with Crohn’s disease

In studies of Inflectra for treating Crohn’s disease, some side effects were more common in children than adults. These include:

There were also some side effects reported in these studies that children experienced but not adults. These include:

Side effects in children with UC

In studies of Inflectra for treating UC, children developed infections more frequently than adults. Mild respiratory infections, such as the common cold, were the most common infections.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Inflectra’s side effects.

Is hair loss a side effect of Inflectra?

No, hair loss isn’t a side effect of Inflectra. This wasn’t reported in the studies of the drug.

Hair loss may happen due to the condition you’re using Inflectra to treat. For example, psoriasis may affect the scalp, which could result in hair loss. Inflectra is prescribed to treat plaque psoriasis.

Other medications used to treat some of the same conditions as Inflectra may cause hair loss. For example, there are reports of hair loss in some people using Humira (adalimumab) after the drug became available on the market. But it’s not clear whether Humira was the cause of hair loss in these reports.

How do the side effects of Inflectra compare with Remicade’s side effects?

Inflectra and Remicade cause similar side effects. This is because they contain very similar active ingredients. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Remicade contains the active ingredient infliximab. It’s a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms.

Inflectra contains the active ingredient infliximab-dyyb, which is a biosimilar for infliximab. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

To learn more about how Remicade and Inflectra compare, see this article.

Are Inflectra’s side effects when used for Crohn’s disease the same as for its other uses?

In general, Inflectra’s side effects when used for Crohn’s disease are the same as for its other uses.

In studies of Inflectra, people with Crohn’s disease were more likely to have belly pain compared with people using the drug for other conditions. But this side effect was reported across studies, regardless of the condition Inflectra was used to treat.

To learn more about Crohn’s disease and Inflectra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Inflectra cause any long-term side effects?

Inflectra may cause long-term side effects, although this isn’t common.

Long-term side effects are side effects that:

  • start during treatment and continue for a long time, possibly after treatment ends, or,
  • start after someone has used the drug for a long time or after treatment ends

Long-term side effects reported with Inflectra include:

* Inflectra has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you’d like to learn more about possible long-term side effects from Inflectra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Inflectra may cause.

Risk of serious infection

Inflectra has a boxed warning for the risk of serious infection. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Inflectra increases the risk of serious infection because it lowers your immune system’s ability to fight infection. In rare cases, serious infections may need treatment in a hospital, and they can even be fatal.

In studies, serious infections that occurred include tuberculosis (TB) as well as other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Certain people have a higher risk of serious infection if they receive Inflectra, including:

  • adults ages 65 years and older
  • people who have a weakened immune system
  • people taking other medications that weaken the immune system, such as prednisone (Rayos)

What might help

Before you start Inflectra treatment, your doctor will likely check you for infection. They’ll also test you for specific infections, such as latent TB. With latent TB, a person can have the bacteria that causes TB, but not show any symptoms of infection.

While you’re receiving Inflectra, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of infection. If you develop a serious infection, they’ll likely stop your Inflectra treatment permanently. They may also prescribe treatment for your infection depending on the type and severity of your infection.

If you have concerns about the risk of serious infections with Inflectra, talk with your doctor.

Risk of certain cancers

Inflectra has a boxed warning for the risk of certain cancers. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Certain cancers, including lymphoma (cancer of the white blood cells), have been reported in people using Inflectra, particularly children. An example is a rare kind of lymphoma called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This occurred mostly in teenage and young adult males* who used Inflectra to treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC).

In addition, medications similar to Inflectra have been shown to increase the risk of certain types of skin cancer.

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have a higher risk of developing cancer if they’re treated with Inflectra. There have also been reports of cervical cancer occurring in females* who used Inflectra to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Symptoms of cancer include:

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What might help

While you’re treated with Inflectra, your doctor will monitor you for cancer, including lymphoma. But you should also watch for symptoms of cancer and contact your doctor immediately if any occur.

If you have or have previously had cancer, tell your doctor before you begin Inflectra treatment. This will help them determine whether Inflectra is safe for you to use.

Fatigue

Treatment with Inflectra may cause fatigue.

Fatigue can also be a symptom of more serious side effects Inflectra may cause. These include serious infection and liver damage. In people who previously had hepatitis B, it could be a symptom of reactivation of the virus that causes this condition.

Fatigue may also occur from some conditions Inflectra is prescribed to treat, such as RA or UC.

What might help

There are a few things you can try at home that may ease fatigue:

  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Drink plenty of water.

For other tips that may help with this side effect, see this article.

If you experience bothersome fatigue during Inflectra treatment, talk with your doctor. They may have other suggestions for improving your energy levels. This may include exploring treatments other than Inflectra for your condition.

Serious infusion reactions

It’s possible for Inflectra infusions* to cause serious infusion reactions. These were very rare in the studies of the drug, but they can be fatal.

Serious infusion reactions reported with Inflectra include:

Mild infusion reactions can happen up to 2 hours after an Inflectra infusion. But serious infusion reactions such as those listed above may occur any time in the 24-hour period after an Inflectra infusion.

* Inflectra is given by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time).

What might help

During your Inflectra infusion, a healthcare professional will monitor you for signs of an infusion reaction. If you develop an infusion reaction, they’ll immediately stop the infusion. They’ll also treat any symptoms you may be having.

In the event you have a serious infusion reaction from Inflectra, you and your doctor will discuss whether you’ll continue treatment with the medication. It may be safer for you to explore other treatment options for your condition.

Heart failure

It’s possible that treatment with Inflectra may cause heart failure. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Inflectra. But there have been a few reports of this side effect since the drug became available on the market.

In addition, Inflectra may worsen heart failure if used by people who already have the condition.

Symptoms of heart failure include:

  • cough that won’t go away
  • fatigue
  • rapid weight gain (such as gaining 5 or more pounds in a few days)
  • shortness of breath
  • swelling in your lower legs or ankles

What might help

If you have heart failure, let your doctor know before you begin treatment with Inflectra. This will help them determine whether Inflectra is safe for you to use. If your doctor prescribes Inflectra to you, they’ll likely monitor your heart health closely during treatment. And they’ll stop Inflectra treatment if your heart failure symptoms worsen or new ones appear.

Contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of heart failure while you’re receiving Inflectra. They’ll likely want to see you in person to examine your symptoms further.

If your doctor confirms that you have heart failure, they may suggest stopping your Inflectra treatment. They can also recommend treatments for heart failure, which are usually prescription medications.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Inflectra can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But these reactions weren’t common in studies. When they did happen, they were most likely to occur within 2 hours of an Inflectra infusion.

Symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

There are also reports of delayed allergic reactions to Inflectra. Symptoms of these reactions included fever, skin rash, and headache, among others. These reactions may occur even if you previously haven’t had a reaction to an Inflectra infusion.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Inflectra, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Inflectra, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Inflectra treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Inflectra affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Before you begin treatment with Inflectra, there are important warnings to consider. These are discussed below.

Boxed warnings

Inflectra has boxed warnings about the risk of serious infection and the risk of certain cancers. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • Risk of serious infection. Inflectra works by weakening your immune system. This increases your risk of serious infection, including tuberculosis (TB). If you have TB or another infection, it should be treated before you begin receiving Inflectra.
  • Risk of certain cancers. Treatment with Inflectra may increase your risk of certain cancers, including lymphomas and skin cancer. If you have or have had cancer, Inflectra may not be safe for you to use.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Inflectra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Inflectra is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Inflectra. The list below includes factors to consider.

Diabetes. Treatment with Inflectra weakens the immune system. Diabetes also weakens the immune system. So people with diabetes who receive Inflectra have a higher risk of infection. If you have diabetes, tell your doctor. This will help them determine whether Inflectra is safe for you to use.

Hepatitis B. If you’ve ever had hepatitis B, be sure to tell your doctor before you begin receiving Inflectra. Treatment with Inflectra can reactivate the virus that causes this condition. If you have symptoms of hepatitis B while receiving Inflectra, your doctor will likely stop Inflectra treatment. They’ll also prescribe treatment for hepatitis B.

Liver problems besides hepatitis B. Treatment with Inflectra can cause liver damage. If you have liver problems, such as alcohol-related liver disease, receiving Inflectra may increase the risk of this side effect. Before starting Inflectra treatment, tell your doctor about any liver problems you have. They’ll let you know whether Inflectra is safe for you to use.

Heart condition, such as heart failure. Inflectra can cause heart failure, and it may worsen this condition in people who already have it. Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Inflectra to people with moderate to severe heart failure. If you have heart failure, your doctor can tell you whether Inflectra is safe for you to use. If they prescribe Inflectra to you, they’ll monitor your heart health and heart failure symptoms very closely during treatment.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inflectra can increase your risk of certain cancers. For people with COPD, using Inflectra may increase the risk of cancer in the lungs, head, or neck. Due to this risk, doctors may not prescribe Inflectra to people who have this condition. If you have COPD, talk with your doctor to learn more about whether Inflectra is safe for you to use.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Inflectra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Inflectra. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and Inflectra

There’s no known interaction between alcohol and Inflectra.

But alcohol and Inflectra can cause similar side effects, including headache, nausea, and upset stomach. So combining the two may increase your risk of these side effects or cause them to be severe.

For some people, alcohol can trigger symptoms of conditions Inflectra is prescribed to treat, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

If you consume alcohol, talk with your doctor about the safety of doing so while you’re treated with Inflectra.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while receiving Inflectra

It’s not known whether it’s safe to receive Inflectra during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about safe treatment options for your condition.

Inflectra can pass into human breast milk. But studies haven’t shown it to cause side effects in a child who’s breastfed by someone taking the drug.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about safe ways to feed your child during treatment.

If you have a certain autoimmune condition, your doctor may suggest treatment with Inflectra. Before beginning treatment with Inflectra, talk with your doctor. Ask questions to learn more about side effects the drug can cause and your risk of developing them. This can help you decide whether Inflectra is a good treatment option for you. Here are some examples to get you started:

  • Do any medications I take increase my risk of Inflectra side effects?
  • If I have bothersome side effects from Inflectra, is there a lower dose I can try?
  • I have lupus. Is it safe for me to use Inflectra?

You can learn more about some of Inflectra’s uses by subscribing to Healinggeeks’s newsletters for these conditions:

You can also join the Bezzy communities for RA, IBD, or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to read about people’s experiences with these conditions.

Q:

Are side effects caused by Inflectra different in older adults?

Anonymous

A:

Side effects caused by Inflectra are expected to be the same in adults ages 65 years and older as in younger adults.

In studies of Inflectra, older adults were more likely to have serious side effects from this drug. But the studies didn’t specify which serious side effects happened more often.

As we age, our organs, including our heart and liver, don’t work as well as they used to. So older adults may be at higher risk of the Inflectra side effects that involve the heart or liver.

In addition, older adults are more likely to take multiple medications. This can increase the risk drug interactions with Inflectra, which may also increase the risk of side effects.

If you’re an adult age 65 years or older, talk with your doctor before you begin Inflectra treatment. They can review your overall health, including other medications you take or medical conditions you have. This will help them to determine whether Inflectra is safe for you to use.

The Healinggeeks Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healinggeeks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.