Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRheumatoid Arthritis BasicsTypes of InfusionsWhat to ExpectRisks and Side EffectsGetting StartedOther ConsiderationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics
Types of Infusions
What to Expect
Risks and Side Effects
Getting Started
Other Considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) treatments can vary depending on the range and severity of your symptoms.
When people with RA don’t respond well to other treatments, they may receive infusions for arthritis to help decrease their bodies' autoimmune response and improve symptoms ofjoint pain,inflammation, andstiffness.
YDL / Getty Images
RA is anautoimmunecondition in which the body produces an immune system response to attack the joints, causing pain, inflammation, and swelling. Over time, thecartilagebreaks down, narrowing the space between bones, and joints can become unstable or stiff. If left untreated, RA can cause permanent and irreversible joint damage.
Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. OsteoarthritisUnlikeosteoarthritis(OA), which is due to wear and tear and more likely to develop on one side of the body, RA is usually symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body, most commonly the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.RA is also more likely to affect multiple joints of the body, can cause systemic (throughout the body) symptoms likefatigueand weakness, and produces prolongedmorning stiffnessmore than OA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis
Unlikeosteoarthritis(OA), which is due to wear and tear and more likely to develop on one side of the body, RA is usually symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body, most commonly the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.RA is also more likely to affect multiple joints of the body, can cause systemic (throughout the body) symptoms likefatigueand weakness, and produces prolongedmorning stiffnessmore than OA.
Unlikeosteoarthritis(OA), which is due to wear and tear and more likely to develop on one side of the body, RA is usually symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body, most commonly the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.
RA is also more likely to affect multiple joints of the body, can cause systemic (throughout the body) symptoms likefatigueand weakness, and produces prolongedmorning stiffnessmore than OA.
Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with RA than men.
Commonly prescribed medications for RA includenonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs, such as ibuprofens like Advil or naproxen like Aleve) anddisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs(DMARDs) like Otrexup (methotrexate). These medications can help reduce pain and inflammation. If these medications fail to improve symptoms,biologic medicationsare usually recommended next.
Biologics are a class of drugs that suppress targeted areas of your immune system to reduce inflammation in autoimmune diseases. Biologic medications used to treat RA come in injection or infusion forms. The medications target certain cells or inflammatory proteins involved in autoimmune responses.
How to Find a Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Types of Infusions for Arthritis
There are currently several different medications used for infusions for arthritis that fall under various classes of biologics based on mechanism. These include the following.
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Inhibitors
Remicade (infliximab) is a TNF inhibitor approved for infusion treatment for RA.
Interleukin Inhibitors
Actemera(Tocilizumab) is an interleukin inhibitor approved for infusion treatment for RA that specifically blocks interleukin-6.
B Cell Inhibitors
Rituxan (rituximab) is a B-cell inhibitor approved for infusion treatment for RA.
T Cell Inhibitors
Orencia(abatacept) is a T cell inhibitor approved for infusion treatment for RA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support and Resources
Before beginning treatment, yourvital signssuch as yourheart rateand blood pressure will be checked and then monitored for the duration of your infusion treatment. You may be given medication before your infusion treatment to reduce the likelihood of anallergic reactionor to help you relax during treatment.
Infusions for arthritis are delivered intravenously through an IV into a vein in your arm. You’ll feel a sharp pinch when the needle is inserted. Other than the initial needle stick, you shouldn’t experience pain. During your treatment, you can read a book, watch television, or use your phone to keep you occupied.
How Long Does Infusion Treatment Last?The length of your infusion treatment will vary depending on which medication you receive, including:Orencia (abatacept): 30 minutesActemra (tocilizumab): One hourRemicade (infliximab): Two hoursRituxan (rituximab): Two to four hours
How Long Does Infusion Treatment Last?
The length of your infusion treatment will vary depending on which medication you receive, including:Orencia (abatacept): 30 minutesActemra (tocilizumab): One hourRemicade (infliximab): Two hoursRituxan (rituximab): Two to four hours
The length of your infusion treatment will vary depending on which medication you receive, including:
Your infusion dosing schedule will also vary depending on the medication as follows:
When Will I Start to See Improvements?You can expect to start seeing an improvement in your symptoms after three months of infusion treatment.
When Will I Start to See Improvements?
You can expect to start seeing an improvement in your symptoms after three months of infusion treatment.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Different Body Systems
There is always a possibility of having an allergic reaction when taking medication. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
While a 2017 systematic review suggests that adverse side effects of taking biologic infusions for RA aren’t statistically different from taking a placebo, a substance of no therapeutic value given to some people in a study to observe the response in others taking an actual medication. A slightly increased risk of adverse side effects, such as infusion site reaction, may be associated with Orencia (abatacept) and Rituxan (rituximab).
Are There Any Severe Side Effects From Infusions?While rare, infusion reactions from Remicade (infliximab) can be severe and life-threatening, causinglow bloodpressure, swelling, restricted airways, andanaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
Are There Any Severe Side Effects From Infusions?
While rare, infusion reactions from Remicade (infliximab) can be severe and life-threatening, causinglow bloodpressure, swelling, restricted airways, andanaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
Because biologic medication weakens your immune system, it can also increase your risk of getting an infection or reactivating a prior infection such ashepatitis Bortuberculosis.
What Comorbidities Exist in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Before taking any biologic medication, you should always have your healthcare provider do a thorough medical examination and discuss your symptoms and medical history. They’ll then decide if the benefits of taking a biologic medication for RA outweigh the potential risks. Biologic medication is usually well-tolerated with few adverse side effects.
Because biologics are often expensive and more invasive than other types of medications, they’re often prescribed after you have already tried other medications such as oralsteroids.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Age of Onset
Because biologic medication suppresses your immune system,live vaccinesthat contain live viral components are typically avoided. You may need to get certain vaccines, such as tuberculosis or hepatitis B, before starting biologic medications.
The efficacy of infusion treatment for RA varies between medication types. There’s also a risk of your body developing antidrugantibodiesin reaction to the infusion, in which your body attacks and destroys the medication being delivered. In these cases, the infusions won’t be as effective in reducing inflammation from RA to treat symptoms.
While everyone responds to infusion treatment differently, a 2017 systematic review suggests that the Remicade (infliximab) has a higher overall rate of formation of antidrug antibodies compared to other biologic medications.
Summary
When people with RA don’t respond well to other treatments, they may receive infusions for arthritis to help decrease the autoimmune response and improve symptoms.
Biologic medication used to treat RA comes in injection or infusion form. The medications target certain cells or inflammatory proteins involved in autoimmune responses. There are currently four different medications used for infusions for arthritis that fall under four different classes of biologic medications. You can expect to start seeing improvement in your symptoms after three months of infusion treatment.
Before taking any biologic medication, you should always have your healthcare provider do a thorough medical examination and discuss your symptoms and medical history. They’ll then decide if the benefits of taking a biologic medication for RA outweigh the potential risks.
A Word From Verywell
Biologic infusions for RA are considered the most targeted therapy for reducing symptoms of this autoimmune condition. Infusions can suppress chronic inflammation, resulting in a decrease in symptoms of RA and joint destruction.
While they may not be effective for everyone, infusions for arthritis can help manage symptoms of RA when other first-line treatments like DMARDs and steroids fail to improve symptoms. Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of biologic infusions with your healthcare provider to determine if they are an option worth trying to help manage your RA.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe results of using different biologic infusion medications for RA varies from person to person.Infusions aren’t typically painful, other than the initial insertion of an IV needle into a vein, which feels like a brief, sharp pinch.You may not feel any different immediately after an infusion, or you may experience mild side effects like fatigue, nausea, or headache.Taking any medication poses the potential risk of adverse side effects. For infusions, side effects can manifest as an infusion site reaction or allergic reaction to the medication. However, the risk of developing adverse effects from biologic infusions isn’t generally considered statistically different from the risk of taking placebo medication.
The results of using different biologic infusion medications for RA varies from person to person.
Infusions aren’t typically painful, other than the initial insertion of an IV needle into a vein, which feels like a brief, sharp pinch.
You may not feel any different immediately after an infusion, or you may experience mild side effects like fatigue, nausea, or headache.
Taking any medication poses the potential risk of adverse side effects. For infusions, side effects can manifest as an infusion site reaction or allergic reaction to the medication. However, the risk of developing adverse effects from biologic infusions isn’t generally considered statistically different from the risk of taking placebo medication.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tank ND, Karelia BN, Vegada BN.Biological response modifiers in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of safety.J Pharmacol Pharmacother.2017 Jul-Sep;8(3):92-105. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_155_16Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Side effects of biologic medications.Strand V, Balsa A, Al-Saleh J, Barile-Fabris L, Horiuchi T, Takeuchi T, Lula S, Hawes C, Kola B, Marshall L.Immunogenicity of biologics in chronic inflammatory diseases: a systematic review.BioDrugs.2017 Aug;31(4):299-316. doi:10.1007/s40259-017-0231-8
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tank ND, Karelia BN, Vegada BN.Biological response modifiers in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of safety.J Pharmacol Pharmacother.2017 Jul-Sep;8(3):92-105. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_155_16Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Side effects of biologic medications.Strand V, Balsa A, Al-Saleh J, Barile-Fabris L, Horiuchi T, Takeuchi T, Lula S, Hawes C, Kola B, Marshall L.Immunogenicity of biologics in chronic inflammatory diseases: a systematic review.BioDrugs.2017 Aug;31(4):299-316. doi:10.1007/s40259-017-0231-8
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tank ND, Karelia BN, Vegada BN.Biological response modifiers in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of safety.J Pharmacol Pharmacother.2017 Jul-Sep;8(3):92-105. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_155_16Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Side effects of biologic medications.Strand V, Balsa A, Al-Saleh J, Barile-Fabris L, Horiuchi T, Takeuchi T, Lula S, Hawes C, Kola B, Marshall L.Immunogenicity of biologics in chronic inflammatory diseases: a systematic review.BioDrugs.2017 Aug;31(4):299-316. doi:10.1007/s40259-017-0231-8
Tank ND, Karelia BN, Vegada BN.Biological response modifiers in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of safety.J Pharmacol Pharmacother.2017 Jul-Sep;8(3):92-105. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_155_16
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Side effects of biologic medications.
Strand V, Balsa A, Al-Saleh J, Barile-Fabris L, Horiuchi T, Takeuchi T, Lula S, Hawes C, Kola B, Marshall L.Immunogenicity of biologics in chronic inflammatory diseases: a systematic review.BioDrugs.2017 Aug;31(4):299-316. doi:10.1007/s40259-017-0231-8
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
