Why am I being prescribed infliximab?
Infliximab is available for people with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Occasionally it is used in severe ankylosing spondylitis. It will only be prescribed if your rheumatoid arthritis is active and if you have already tried methotrexate and another standard ‘second-line’ treatment (e.g. sulfasalazine, gold injections). It may also be prescribed if you cannot tolerate other treatments. Slightly different conditions may apply in the case of the other diseases. Infliximab is available only on prescription from a consultant rheumatologist. Infliximab will not be prescribed if: • your rheumatoid arthritis is not active • you have not tried standard treatments first • you are pregnant or breastfeeding • you have an infection. Your doctor may decide not to prescribe infliximab if: • you have had tuberculosis (TB) in the past • you have had other repeated infections • you have or have had multiple sclerosis (MS) • you have had cancer • you have or have had a serious heart condi
