Remicade Side Effects
Remicade is a popular and powerful treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Medical research has found that Remicade can significantly increase the risk of many forms of cancer, serious infection, life-threatening liver damage and skin problems.
Evidence from the Mayo Clinic
Clinical evidence from a 2006 Mayo Clinic study indicates that Remicade can triple the risk of certain kinds of cancer. Remicade side effects can cause lymphoma, skin cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer and lung tumors.
Scientific evidence has long suggested that Remicade side effects can increase the risk of serious and even fatal infections. The Mayo Clinic study, the first to quantify this risk, found that Remicade infusions can double a person’s risk of developing a serious infection, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.
Evidence from Holland
In December 2004, Centocor announced that Remicade can increase the risk of deadly liver reactions. Some patients have become very ill, needed liver transplants or died because of these serious side effects. Some Remicade patients develop symptoms of liver damage—such as jaundice, dark urine, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue and diarrhea.
In 2005, researchers in Holland proved that Remicade can harm the skin. Remicade infusions double the risk of developing skin infections, eczema and skin eruptions. Remicade can also increase the risk of psoriasis, reactive arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Within five hours of getting a Remicade infusion, patients may experience temporary side effects including chest pain, fever, difficulty breathing, hives, chills and facial flushing.
If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking Remicade, you should seek medical treatment quickly. If you or a loved one has suffered serious harm because of Remicade side effects, you may also wish to meet with a Remicade attorney to discuss a lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses and suffering.