Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi , does anyone have experience of switching from infliximab Remicade to Inflectra ? I have been on remicade for a number of years , it gtave me back my life over night , my hospital want ( really pushing me ) to change as it will save the NHS lots of money . I haven't heard any positive stories yet , but most of that comes from crhons patients . Thanks
0 likes, 6 replies
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blair97497 Mudmaiden
Posted
Hi there Mudmaiden. Please forgive me if I am being simplistic. I haven't much looked into TNF inhibitors, and not prescribed one. But the two brands you've named seem to be both "just" infliximab trade names. Are you worried that the trade name varieties of the same drug will behave differently?
Is that a reasonable concern?
I don't understand, sorry. Is there some evidence that one brand of this drug works differently to another?
cindy52759 Mudmaiden
Posted
I, too, am on Remicade and like you, it gave me back my life! I was told Remicade could work for many years but eventually will stop working for us. At that time, I'll try something new but if it isn't broke, why fix it? I would try and stay on Remicade until it doesn't work anymore and then try another product out there. Good Luck and try to stick to your guns!
jo66120 Mudmaiden
Posted
cindy52759 Mudmaiden
Posted
One year?? Ugh, I was so glad to hear reading the rest of your message that your friend has been on it 8 years! I've been on it about 3 years and very happy with it.
Mudmaiden
Posted
Thank you Cindy and Jo , I've been on Remicade for nearly 7 years and from the first loading dose , it changed everything . I went from pretty much bed bound to pain free immediately. I spent a couple of years building up strength and stamina , and took the leap to working again . So my local authority has been wanting to switch patients for a few years . I was told I had the choice,but I've just received a letter which looks as if the hospital is gearing up to switch . The letter clearly states that biologic medicines are " complicated to produce and to copy " and that copies have been made and are similar enough to be called the same . Yet people I've spoken to that switched for cohrons said that it didn't work as well , and as you know , once you've come off Remicade it never works as well if you go back on it . I guess the language of the letter is panicking me a bit , I've been " invited " to have a biologic optimisation service , I'll see what they say , but yes plan to stick to my guns . Wish the goal posts would stop moving .
cindy52759 Mudmaiden
Posted
Hang in there and yes stick to your guns because you don't want to bed ridden again. Went through the same thing, asked the doc how long after my first remacade treatment will I feel better, she said 3 months! I thought, I can't last another 3 months, I'm in too much pain! Went to my 1st treatment and a few days later I was dancing, literally. Went back to working out and living like a normal person again. I dread the day Remacade stops working for me and pray there is something else out there that will.