Remicade Side Effects

If you are one of the unfortunate thousands of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or any of a number of similar inflammatory conditions, you know how painful life can really be. As the inflammation begins to spread the amount of pain can be unbearable and the inability to move your joints can make every day miserable. In recent years a TNF or tumor necrosis factor blocker known as Remicade has been used as a treatment for the very serious types of inflammatory arthritis.

As with any medication there is always a risk that you will encounter some form of side effects, while the doctors know they exist and will explain them to a patient if asked very few patients ask. By the time most people get this stage of their arthritis they are more interested in being out of pain in the short term not the long term effects of the drug that they are taking.  Like most medications the side effects of Remicade can range from very mild to very severe depending on the individual patient.

Some of the more common side effects of Remicade include, but are not limited to stomach pains, coughing, dizziness and fainting.  You may also notice you get headaches, muscle pains and some nasal congestion. These side effects occur in a fair number of patients however they are nothing that you should need to call your physician about unless they are persistent. As this medication works on your immune system and tends to make it weaker you may find yourself more susceptible to colds and flu.

As you move along in using this medication you may begin to experience some of the more serious side effects of Remicade such as back pain, if you experience persistent back pain you should see your doctor as Remicade has been shown to cause liver damage. You may also notice changes in your blood pressure, bloody or cloudy urine, diarrhea or painful urination. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately: shortness of breath, chest pains, hives and itching.

Also if you suffer from chills, fevers or a flushing of your face, you should not hesitate in seeking medical care as there have been rare instances of fatalities associated with those who have used Remicade. While many medications are very useful in treating the symptoms for which they are prescribed, they can also causes some very unpleasant side effects and you should never take a medication without knowing the facts and what can happen.