Ixifi (Infliximab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ixifi Used For?
Ixifi contains infliximab, a specialized protein that helps control your immune system when it’s attacking healthy parts of your body.
Primary Uses
Ixifi treats several autoimmune conditions including: rheumatoid arthritis (joint inflammation), ankylosing spondylitis (spine inflammation), psoriatic arthritis (joint inflammation with skin psoriasis), psoriasis (inflammatory skin disease), Crohn’s disease (chronic bowel inflammation), and ulcerative colitis (bowel inflammation). For children and teens aged 6-17, it’s only used for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis when other treatments haven’t worked well enough.
How It Works
Ixifi is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes and binds to a protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). In people with certain diseases, the body produces too much TNFα, causing the immune system to attack healthy body parts. Ixifi blocks this damage by preventing TNFα from working.
Good to know: Ixifi is a biosimilar medicine, meaning it works the same way as the original infliximab medication.
How to Take Ixifi
Ixifi is given only by healthcare professionals through an IV infusion in your arm, typically taking at least 2 hours.
Dosage Instructions
Dosing varies by condition: Rheumatoid arthritis starts at 3 mg/kg with additional doses at 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks (may increase to 7.5 mg/kg if needed). Ankylosing spondylitis uses 5 mg/kg at 2 and 6 weeks, then every 6 weeks. Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis use 5 mg/kg at 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis use 5 mg/kg at 2 and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks (may increase to 10 mg/kg for Crohn’s). After tolerating the first 3 infusions well, your doctor may reduce future infusion times to at least 1 hour.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss an appointment for your Ixifi infusion, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to schedule your next dose and determine the proper timing.
Important: You’ll be monitored during and after each infusion for any reactions to the medication.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Fever or chills
- Itchiness or hives
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain or upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Urinary tract infections
- Cold symptoms
- Upper respiratory infections
- Coughing
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Back pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Serious infections including tuberculosis
- Liver problems (jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain)
- Nervous system problems
- Heart failure worsening
- Blood disorders
- Cancer including lymphoma
- Hepatitis B reactivation
- Stroke symptoms (numbness, confusion, vision problems)
Important Warnings
Ixifi affects your immune system and has several important safety considerations you need to discuss with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Ixifi
Don’t use Ixifi if you’re allergic to infliximab or mouse proteins, have severe infections like tuberculosis or sepsis, have moderate to severe heart failure, or are taking anakinra (another arthritis medication).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: any infections or are prone to infections, tuberculosis exposure, hepatitis B, lived in areas with fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis), cancer history, chronic lung disease (COPD), nervous system diseases like multiple sclerosis, heart problems, blood disorders, or need surgery. Also discuss if you’ve had recent vaccines or need upcoming ones.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Ixifi is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last injection. If you become pregnant while using Ixifi, tell your baby’s doctor before any vaccines are given, as babies may have decreased white blood cell counts and increased infection risk.
Infection Risk: Ixifi increases your risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis and sepsis. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, persistent cough, weight loss, or other infection symptoms.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Ixifi, so tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Vaccination Important: Update all vaccines before starting Ixifi treatment, as live vaccines cannot be given during treatment.
- Anakinra (should not be used together)
- Abatacept (another arthritis medication)
- Live vaccines (should be avoided)
- Organ transplant rejection medications
- Other treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease
- Cancer treatment medications
Alcohol & Driving
Ixifi is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but be cautious if you feel tired or unwell.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol restrictions are mentioned, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor as it may affect your immune system.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Ixifi is unlikely to make you drowsy, but if you feel tired, don’t drive or operate machinery until you feel better.
Storage
Ixifi is stored by healthcare professionals in the refrigerator at 2° to 8° Celsius. If removed from refrigeration, it can be stored at room temperature up to 30°C for a maximum of 6 months, but not beyond the expiration date. Once removed from the fridge, it cannot be returned to refrigeration. Keep away from children and use only single-use vials as directed by healthcare professionals.
Overdose Information
Since Ixifi is given by healthcare professionals, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you think too much has been given, seek immediate medical attention by calling the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 764 766), contacting your doctor, or going to the nearest emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The timing varies by condition. For rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will assess your response after 12 weeks of treatment. You’ll receive doses at specific intervals (at 2 and 6 weeks, then every 6-8 weeks depending on your condition) to maintain effectiveness.
You should not receive live vaccines while taking Ixifi. It’s important to update all your vaccines before starting treatment. Always tell your doctor you’re taking Ixifi before receiving any vaccination.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of infection such as fever, persistent cough, weight loss, or other infection symptoms. Ixifi affects your immune system and may make you more prone to infections.
This depends on the specific medication. You may take methotrexate with Ixifi for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. However, you should not take anakinra with Ixifi. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
You should continue using adequate contraception to avoid pregnancy for at least 6 months after your last Ixifi injection, as the medication can remain in your system.
Watch for immediate allergic reactions like hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or low blood pressure. Also watch for delayed reactions up to 12 days after injection, such as muscle or joint pain with fever or rash. Contact your doctor if any of these occur.
Ixifi can be used in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, but only for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis when other treatments haven’t worked well enough. It’s not approved for children under 6 or for other conditions in children.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.