Infliximab medicine card
Content date: 13 November 2026
A biologic treatment that blocks the inflammatory signal TNF. It is used for some cases of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and may help treat fistulas associated with Crohn’s disease.
Your next step
Check your written prescription and monitoring plan. If anything is unclear, ask your care team before changing a dose.
Get urgent help: Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, chest pain or fainting during or after an infusion: tell the team immediately or seek emergency care.
How do I use it?
- The intravenous dose usually takes at least two hours initially. The usual schedule is the first dose, then at weeks two and six from the start, then every eight weeks; your clinician may adjust it. You are monitored during and afterwards. Under-the-skin products also exist; do not switch product or route without a prescription and training.
How do I store it?
- The unit stores and prepares the vials. Unopened vials are usually stored at 2–8°C. If you collect the medicine for transport, ask the pharmacist for instructions for your exact brand and formulation; do not leave it in a car.
What tests do I need?
- Tuberculosis and hepatitis B tests before starting, along with a blood count, liver tests and monitoring set by the team. Drug levels and antibodies to the medicine may be checked if response weakens.
Possible side effects: what to expect
- Not everyone experiences side effects. Headache, nausea or a mild rash may occur. During an infusion, tell the nurse about any new symptom immediately; the team may slow or interrupt treatment and assess you.
- Serious infections or severe allergy can occur. Infection screening, vaccination review and follow-up help reduce risk. Your team also discusses longer-term cancer risks, particularly with combined immune treatments, and weighs these against the benefit of controlling bowel inflammation in your circumstances.
Important points
- Do not stop or restart treatment yourself. Instructions vary between biosimilars and injection forms. Live vaccines and pregnancy need a plan from your team.
Brand / device: ........................ | Dose and how I take or use the medicine: ........................
Next dose: ........................ | Next blood tests: ........................
Team contact: ........................
When to get help
Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, chest pain or fainting during or after an infusion: tell the team immediately or seek emergency care.
Fever, infection or starting an antibiotic before a dose: contact the unit before receiving it. Tell them about new breathlessness, leg swelling, a delayed rash or a missed appointment.