Infusion
Nursing Notes
By Nufactor

Infusion Nursing Notes by Nufactor provides education, resources and support to promote successful patient therapy within the infusion nursing community.

Infliximab, Biologics: Infusion Precautions

Biologics products have been developed to treat undesirable immune responses caused by chronic systemic inflammatory conditions. The immune system consists of a vast network of cells, tissues and organs that all perform specific functions to help keep the “host” in a state of equilibrium. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) inhibitor. That has been used to slow the progression of several inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the activation of TNF, target specific therapy. [More]

Understanding Titration: IVIG and Infliximab

By Jean McCaslin, RN, IgCN
Nurses in a variety of settings follow an infusion titration (increasing or decreasing the rate of the dose) when infusing many medications. While it is understood that the use of titration is prudent particularly for first-dosing, there are no established uniform standards in the industry for infusing many medications, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and infliximab (brands include Remicade®, Inflectra® and Renflexis®). Titration standards may be developed by individual prescribers, hospital systems, nursing agencies, outpatient infusion centers, or specialty pharmacies, yet each may differ from the other. [More]

Administration, Common Side Effects and Dosing of INFLIXIMAB (REMICADE®)

By Candy Finley, RN, IgCN.

Infliximab is an intravenously administered genetically engineered monoclonal antibody that neutralizes inflammation caused by a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) by binding to the soluble and transmembrane forms of TNFα with its receptors. Elevated concentrations of TNFα have been found in the tissues and fluids of patients with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved diagnoses. Infliximab controls the activity of several inflammatory chemicals. It is FDA-approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Once established on treatment, symptoms should start to improve over a period of two to twelve weeks. [More]