Infusion Services services offered in St. Clair Shores and Macomb, MI
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease are chronic conditions that affect the quality of life. When traditional medical treatments fail to control your IBD symptoms, the experienced gastroenterology team at G.I. Medicine Associates, P.C., can help with their infusion services. This includes the administration of biologics that help control the underlying causes of IBD. To learn more about infusion services at G.I. Medicine Associates, P.C., call the office in St. Clair Shores or Macomb, Michigan.
WHAT IS A BIOLOGIC MEDICATION?
A biologic medication is used to treat adults with moderate Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis disease. Your doctor has decided to treat you with a biologic medication because your disease is still active even though you have tried other treatments.
HOW DOES A BIOLOGIC WORK?
Biologics work on your immune system. They target specific proteins in your body that cause inflammation. There is no cure for Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis, but blocking TNF-alpha, stopping integrins or interleukins 12 and 23 can reduce inflammation. You should also know that by blocking these inflammation receptors it can reduce your immune system’s ability to fight infection.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, AND TAKING A BIOLOGIC FOR CROHN’S OR ULCERATIVE COLITIS DISEASE?
The immune system protects the body by responding to invading material like bacteria, viruses, and other foreign matter by producing antibodies and putting them into action to fight off the “invaders.” In both Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, your body’s immune system produces too much TNF-alpha as part of your immune system’s response. Too much TNF-alpha can cause inflammation and if left untreated it can cause permanent damage to the body’s bones, cartilage, and tissues.
Taking a biologic can block these receptors that cause inflammation, but it can also lower your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. So, taking a biologic can make you more prone to getting infections or can make an existing infection worse. You should call your doctor right away if you think you have an infection.
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE A BIOLOGIC?
You should not take a biologic if you have:
§ An infection that you are being treated for. If you have or think you may have an infection, ask your doctor if it is the kind of infection that could put you at risk for serious side effects from biologics.
§ An allergy to any of the ingredients in Remicade, Inflectra, Avsola, Renflexis, Entyvio, Stelara, Skyrizi, Rinvoq, Omvoh, Tremfya).
§ An allergy to murine (mouse) proteins.
WHAT HEALTH CONCERNS SHOULD I TALK TO MY DOCTOR ABOUT?
Before receiving your first treatment with a biologic you should tell your doctor if you:
§ Have an infection that will not go away or a history of infection that keeps coming back.
§ Have lived in an area of the country where an infection called histoplasmosis (an infection caused by a fungus that affects the lungs) is common. If you do not know if the area you live in is one that is common for histoplasmosis, ask your doctor.
§ Have had TB (tuberculosis), or if you have recently been with anyone who might have TB. Your doctor will examine you for TB and perform a skin or blood test. If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, he or she may start treating you for TB before you begin biologic therapy.
§ Have or have had a disease that affects your nervous system, like multiple sclerosis or if you experience any numbness or tingling.
§ Are pregnant or nursing.
§ Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine.
WHAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT TREATMENT WITH A BIOLOGIC?
A BIOLOGIC, like other medicines that affect your immune system, is a strong medicine that can cause serious side effects. Possible serious side effects include:
§ Serious infections: Some patients have had serious infections while receiving a biologic. Some people have died from these infections. These serious infections include TB (tuberculosis), and infections caused by fungi or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. If you develop a fever, feel very tired, have a cough, or have flu-like symptoms, these could be signs that you may be getting an infection. If you have any of these symptoms while you are taking or after you have taken a biologic, you should tell your doctor right away
§ Allergic Reactions: Some patients have severe allergic reactions to a biologic. These reactions can happen while you are getting your biologic infusion or shortly afterwards. The symptoms of an allergic reaction may include hives (red, raised, itchy patches of skin), difficulty breathing, chest pain and high or low blood pressure. Your doctor may decide to stop a certain biologic treatment and give you medications to treat the allergic reaction. Some patients who have been taking a biologic have had allergic reactions three (3) to twelve (12) days after receiving their treatment. The symptoms of this type of delayed reaction may include muscle or joint pain with fever or rash. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms or any other unusual symptoms.
§ Lupus-like Symptoms: Some patients have developed symptoms that can resemble lupus. Lupus-like symptoms may include lasting chest discomfort or pain, shortness of breath, joint pain or a rash on the cheeks or arms that are sensitive to the sun. If you develop any of these symptoms, your doctor may decide to stop your treatment.
WHAT ARE OTHER POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF A BIOLOGIC
The most common side effects of a biologic are respiratory infections (such as bronchitis, sinus infections, cold, sore throat, coughing, nausea, stomach pain, back pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, tiredness, itchiness, and urinary tract infections.
The most common reasons that patients have stopped treatment are shortness of breath, rash, and headache. As described above, sometimes these side effects can be serious and may require other treatment.
CAN I TAKE A BIOLOGIC WHILE I AM ON OTHER MEDICINES?
Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications before starting your biologic and while you are in treatment. Also, tell your doctor if you plan to take other medications.
HOW WILL A BIOLOGIC BE GIVEN TO ME?
G.I. Medicine administers the biologic in the infusion room. It will be given to you by a medical or health care professional. It will be given to you by an intravenous infusion (IV). This means that the medicine will be given to you through a needle placed in your arm. It will take about 30 min to 2 hours to give you the full dose of medicine, depending on which biologic your doctor has prescribed. During that time and for a period after you receive the biologic, a health care professional will monitor you. Your doctor may ask you to take other medicines along with it.
WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions or problems, always talk first with your doctor.