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How REMICADE Works to Treat Plaque Psoriasis

How REMICADE Works to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

How REMICADE Works to Treat Psoriatic Arthritis

How REMICADE Works to Treat Adult Crohns

How REMICADE Works to Treat Ulcerative Colitis

How REMICADE Works to Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis

Please read the Medication Guide for REMICADE® and discuss with your doctor.

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How REMICADE Works to Treat Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Symptoms often include patches of raised, red skin covered by scales. These patches, also called psoriatic plaques, frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. In some cases, fingernails and toenails are affected, causing lifting, pitting, and crumbling of the nail.

REMICADE targets an underlying cause of plaque psoriasis.

Many traditional therapies for plaque psoriasis treat skin symptoms, but they do not treat the underlying cause of the disease. REMICADE, an advanced treatment, goes beneath the surface of the skin to block the excess production of TNF-alpha, a primary cause of the inflammation process that leads to the overproduction of skin cells. High levels of TNF-alpha are found in psoriatic skin plaques. By targeting this underlying cause, REMICADE slows down the production of skin cells and can dramatically improve your symptoms.

REMICADE delivers outstanding results.

Outstanding response:

In a clinical study, 8 out of 10 patients achieved at least 75% skin clearance within 10 weeks.

Fast results:

In another clinical study, some patients saw improvement in as little as two weeks.

Long-lasting improvement:

In both studies, most of these patients maintained skin clearance up to one year of treatment.

Individual results may vary. Talk to your doctor to see if REMICADE is right for you. Please read the Medication Guide and discuss any questions or symptoms with your doctor.

REMICADE is approved for adult patients with chronic severe (extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis under the care of a physician who will determine if REMICADE is appropriate considering other available therapies.

For more detailed information on treating plaque psoriasis, please visit the following resource:

REMICADE and Plaque Psoriasis

Ask your doctor about the importance of treating the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Only your doctor can recommend a course of treatment after checking your health condition. REMICADE^® (infliximab) can cause serious side effects such as lowering your ability to fight infections. There are reports of serious infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body, including tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis. Some of these infections have been fatal. Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with REMICADE^®.
Unusual cancers have been reported in children and teenage patients taking TNF-blocker medicines. A rare form of fatal lymphoma has occurred mostly in teenage or young adult males with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who were taking REMICADE^® and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. For children and adults taking TNF blockers, including REMICADE^®, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. You should discuss any concerns about your health and medical care with your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor before I take REMICADE^®?

You should let your doctor know if you have or ever had any of the following:

Tuberculosis (TB) or have been near someone who has TB. Your doctor will check you for TB with a skin test. If you have latent (inactive) TB, you will begin TB treatment before you start REMICADE^®.
Lived in a region where certain fungal infections such as histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis are common.
Infections that keep coming back, have diabetes or an immune system problem.
Any type of cancer or a risk factor for developing cancer, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or had phototherapy for psoriasis.
Heart failure or any heart condition. Many people with heart failure should not take REMICADE^®.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or think you may be a carrier of HBV.
Nervous system disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome).

Also tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including vaccines or Kineret (anakinra), and if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are nursing. Adults and children should not receive a live vaccine while REMICADE^®.

What should I watch for and talk to my doctor about before or while taking REMICADE^®?

The following serious (sometimes fatal) side effects have been reported in people taking REMICADE^®.

You should tell your doctor right away if you have any of the signs listed below:

Infections (such as TB, blood infections, pneumonia)—fever, tiredness, cough, flu, or warm, red or painful skin or any open sores. REMICADE^® can make you more likely to get an infection or make any infection that you have worse.
Lymphoma, or any other cancers in adults and children.
Heart failure—new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, or sudden weight gain.
Reactivation of HBV—feeling unwell, poor appetite, tiredness, fever, skin rash and/or joint pain.
Liver injury—jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark brown urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, or severe tiredness.
Blood disorders—fever that doesn't go away, bruising, bleeding or severe paleness.
Nervous system disorders—numbness, weakness, tingling, changes in your vision or seizures.
Allergic reactions during or after the infusion—hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of face and hands, and fever or chills.
Lupus-like syndrome—chest discomfort or pain that does not go away, shortness of breath, joint pain, rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. The more common side effects with REMICADE^® are respiratory infections (that may include sinus infections and sore throat), headache, rash, coughing and stomach pain.
Psoriasis—new or worsening psoriasis such as red scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus.

Medication Guide for REMICADE^®

Please read the Medication Guide for REMICADE^® and discuss it with your doctor.
(Requires Adobe^® Reader^®. Click here to download.)

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Last Updated: April 13, 2010