Infliximab (Avsola)
Avsola (infliximab) is a biologic medicine that helps the pain and swelling of arthritis. Avsola belongs to a class of similar medications called Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor agents.
Avsola is used in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Psoriasis, and other types of arthritis.
Avsola works by blocking Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a type of signalling protein (cytokine), that is involved in systemic inflammation.
This medication may be prescribed in combination with other rheumatology medications like methotrexate.
Biosimilar
Avsola is a type of medicine that is called a biosimilar. A biosimilar is a type of biologic medication that has been designed to be identical to an existing biologic medication, but is created using a different process.
Avsola is a biosimilar of Remicade. Both medications are known by the same generic name: infliximab. Biosimilars are often cheaper than the original medication.
Taking Avsola
Avsola is administered by intravenous infusion at specialized clinics.
A typical starting dose for Inflectra is 3-5 mg per kilogram of body weight. The dose may be increased over time.
Patients start by receiving infusions on week 0, week 2, and week 6. After that, they receive infusions every 6 to 8 weeks depending on their doctor’s prescription.
Infusions usually take about 2 hours.
Some patients start to feel better quickly with Avsola, but in others, it can take a little longer. It’s important for patients starting this medication to give it some time and keep receiving infusions as-prescribed.
The manufacturer of Avsola offers a support program to Canadian patients that are prescribed the medication:
Patient support program enrolment formsImportant Tests and Risks
Avsola can make it a bit harder for people to fight off infections.
People taking this medicine should call their doctor they have a fever, think they have an infection, or have been prescribed antibiotics to treat an infection.
Patients should coordinate with their doctor to stop treatment before any surgery, and re-start once things have healed and there’s no sign of infection.
Patients should discuss all vaccinations with their doctor because some (live vaccines) are not advisable to get while taking Avsola.
It is important to have a tuberculosis skin test done and get a chest x-ray before starting Avsola.
Patients who are taking Avsola should have occasional blood tests as requested by their doctor to keep track of their arthritis and make sure that blood counts are ok.
Science
In some people with arthritis, a type of signalling protein (cytokine) called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) is present in the blood and joints in excessive amounts where it increases inflammation (pain and swelling).
Avsola (infliximab) is another type of protein called a monoclonal antibody that works as a Tumor Necrosis Factor blocker: it blocks the action of Tumor Necrosis Factor.
In blocking Tumor Necrosis Factor, Inflectra suppresses the body’s immune system. Though this suppression can make it slightly harder for patients to fight off infections, it also helps to stabilize an overactive immune system.
In patients with arthritis, this medicine can:
- Reduce the pain and swelling (inflammation) in arthritic joints
- Improve day to day function
- Prevent long-term damage caused by joint inflammation
Safety
Patients taking Avsola should talk to their doctor if they are concerned about any side effects.
MORE COMMON side-effects include:
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Back pain, aching joints.
- Rash, flushing.
- Headaches.
- Upper respiratory tract infections (such as sinusitis).
RARE side-effects include:
- Infusion Reaction – Some patients may react to the medication during or shortly after it is administered.
- Infection – There is an increased risk of serious infections associated with the use of this medication. Any infections or fevers should be taken very seriously and be reviewed by a doctor.
- Nervous System – There have been very rare reports of some patients developing disorders that affect the nervous system (multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eye) while taking Avsola. Fortunately, these reports are exceedingly rare.
- Heart – Patients should inform their doctor if they have congestive heart failure as Avsola may make it worse.
- Malignancy – When used for long periods of time, Avsola may be associated with a small increased risk of cancer, however, the data is not entirely clear.
Who Should NOT Take Avsola
Patients who should NOT be taking Avsola or other brands of infliximab include:
- Patients who have had a previous serious allergic reaction to Avsola or other brands of inflximab
- Possibly patients who have cancer or have had a past history of certain cancers
- Patients who have congestive heart failure
- Patients who have Lupus or multiple sclerosis
- Patients with active infections (such as tuberculosis)
Patients taking Avsola should call their doctor if they feel sick and want to stop, or if they are concerned about any side effects.
Other reasons to call a doctor while taking Avsola include:
- Fever or possible infection
- Another doctor has prescribed antibiotics to fight an infection
- Planning for surgery
- Becoming pregnant, or planning on pregnancy
- Planning on any vaccinations
- Developing a rash
Anyone who becomes pregnant while taking this medication should tell their doctor.
Pregnancy and medicationsVideo
Watch Dr. Andy Thompson, a Canadian rheumatologist, introduce Avsola in this short video:
Resources
DIN
- 02496933