Remicade:
Dr. Stokes' office now provides Remicade infusion
therapy. Remicade may be indicated for patients with Crohn's Disease
or Rheumatoid Arthritis (see below). While Dr. Stokes treats only
Crohn's Disease, his office is happy to provide this therapy to
any patient whose physician orders Remicade for any condition. Receiving
Remicade from Dr. Stokes' office is very safe and can also be extremely
cost-effective for the patient. All patients receiving this infusion
are continually monitored by a Registered Nurse, who has over a
year's experience administering Remicade in the physician's office
setting. Our fees are very reasonable, and our collections staff
is always willing to work with our patients on payment arrangements
that best meet their needs (though for many insurance plans, physician
office visit copays do apply). If after reviewing the information
provided below you feel Remicade may be right for you, or for more
information on this therapy, please feel free to call our office
at (337) 364-3301, extension 106.
Remicade for Crohn's Disease
Remicade is a new type of drug that was approved
by the FDA in May of 1998 for treatment of Crohn's disease in people
who have failed to adequately control their disease with conventional
therapy like prednisone, Pentasa, Asacol, Imuran, etc.
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory process that
affects the digestive tract by overproducing a substance known as
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). It is believed that TNF plays a vital
role in causing inflammation and damage of the intestinal wall.
Remicade is an antibody that blocks Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).
It helps control the symptoms of Crohn's by binding to the TNF and
neutralizing its action which may allow patients to experience a
reduction in their signs and symptoms of Crohn's.
A singe dose of Remicade has been shown to provide
benefits for 8-12 weeks. Remicade is also indicated for the treatment
of fistulizing Crohn's disease. When given as a three course of
therapy, it can reduce the number of draining fistulas.
It is impossible to predict in advance how you may
respond to Remicade or how long the benefits of Remicade will last.
Because Remicade is a fairly new drug, the efficacy and safety of
Remicade beyond the recommended duration has not been established.
It is imperative that you discuss all treatment options with your
physician before deciding on any treatment.
Remicade for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Released in May of 1998, Remicade is a drug that
is now indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
in addition to the treatment of Crohn's disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory process
where the joints of the body become inflamed and painful and eventually
permanently damaged. In combination with methotrexate, Remicade
has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms and inhibit the
progression of joint damage in those with moderately to severely
active rheumatoid arthritis.
It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis patients
have an excess of TNF in their joints. Remicade is an antibody that
blocks Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). Remicade helps control the symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis by binding to the TNF and neutralizing its
action, which may allow patients to experience improvement in their
joints for sustained periods of time.
Remicade often provides relief of symptoms within
2 weeks of the initial dose. After three initial doses, treatment
is required once every 8 weeks.
It is impossible to predict in advance how you many
respond to Remicade or how long the benefits of Remicade will last.
Because Remicade is a fairly new drug, the efficacy and safety of
Remicade beyond the recommended duration has not been established.
It is imperative that you discuss all treatment options with your
physician before deciding on any treatment.
© 1997-2000 Iberia Gastroenterology Associates,
Inc.
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