Remicade and Inflectra: A Comparison of Their Shared and Distinct Qualities
In the realm of biologic medications, three biosimilars have emerged as significant alternatives to the reference product Remicade: Inflectra, Avsola, and Renflexis. All four share a common active ingredient, infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blocker used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases.
Shared Characteristics and Differences
Remicade, as the reference product, and its biosimilars Inflectra, Avsola, and Renflexis are all biologics, made from parts of living cells. They are administered via intravenous infusion. The main difference between them and Remicade is that biosimilars undergo comparability studies but are typically less costly alternatives, approved based on demonstrating no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, and potency.
Inflectra, Avsola, and Renflexis, being biosimilars, contain infliximab, similar to Remicade. However, Inflectra contains infliximab-dyyb or infliximab-abda, depending on the specific biosimilar, to distinguish it from the original product.
By contrast, Humira, a widely used TNF blocker, has an active ingredient adalimumab, which differs structurally and is given via subcutaneous injection rather than intravenous infusion.
Overlapping Spectrum of Diseases Treated
The spectrum of diseases treated is largely overlapping among these TNF inhibitors, covering autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and plaque psoriasis.
The choice between infliximab products and adalimumab often depends on physician preference, route of administration, patient convenience, and insurance coverage.
Approved Uses and Dosage
Inflectra and Remicade for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children have the same dosage form, strength, and frequency: powder inside a vial, mixed with liquid for IV infusion, 100 mg per vial, 5 mg/kg*, every 8 weeks starting at week 14.
For ulcerative colitis in adults, the dosage is the same: powder inside a vial, mixed with liquid for IV infusion, 100 mg per vial, 5 mg/kg*, every 8 weeks starting at week 14.
For psoriatic arthritis in adults, the dosage is also consistent: powder inside a vial, mixed with liquid for IV infusion, 100 mg per vial, 5 mg/kg*, every 8 weeks starting at week 14.
For rheumatoid arthritis in adults, the dosage is slightly different, with 3 mg/kg instead of 5 mg/kg.
For ankylosing spondylitis in adults, the dosage is slightly different too, with infusions every 6 weeks starting at week 12, as opposed to every 8 weeks.
For plaque psoriasis in adults, the dosage is the same as for other indications: powder inside a vial, mixed with liquid for IV infusion, 100 mg per vial, 5 mg/kg*, every 8 weeks starting at week 14.
Both Inflectra and Remicade are brand-name prescription medications used to treat similar autoimmune conditions. However, brand-name medications are often more expensive than biosimilars.
Inflectra, containing the active drug infliximab-dyyb, is expected to be as safe and effective as Remicade. Infliximab, the active drug in Remicade, is recommended as a treatment option in several guidelines for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
Humira (adalimumab) is not the same as Inflectra or Remicade, as it belongs to a different class of drugs.
Inflectra and Remicade have been approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children ages 6 years and older. They have also been approved for a range of adult autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and long-term, severe plaque psoriasis.
- Inflectra, Avsola, and Renflexis, as biosimilars, share a common active ingredient, infliximab, like Remicade, which is a TNF-α blocker used to treat various autoimmune diseases.
- The spectrum of diseases treated by these TNF inhibitors includes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and plaque psoriasis.
- Infliximab, the active drug in Remicade, is recommended as a treatment option for multiple medical-conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
- For Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children, as well as a range of adult autoimmune conditions, Inflectra and Remicade have been approved by the FDA.
- Inflectra, Avsola, and Renflexis, despite being biosimilars, may have distinct naming conventions, with Inflectra containing infliximab-dyyb or infliximab-abda.
- By contrast, Humira, another TNF blocker, has an active ingredient, adalimumab, which is structurally different, and is administered via subcutaneous injection rather than intravenous infusion.
- The choice between infliximab products and adalimumab often depends on factors such as physician preference, route of administration, patient convenience, and insurance coverage.
- Infliximab-dyyb, the active drug in Inflectra, is anticipated to be as safe and effective as infliximab, the active drug in Remicade, when it comes to managing chronic-diseases like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
