Remicade Lawsuits
The arthritis drug Remicade has been linked to a number of serious and potentially life threatening injuries. In September 2008, stronger warnings were added about an increased risk of invasive fungal infections.
STATUS OF REMICADE LAWSUITS: Lawyers are evaluating research surrounding the potential safety concerns involving cancer and Remicade, as well as potential cases for individuals who developed fungal infections.
MANUFACTURER: Centocor and Johnson & Johnson
OVERVIEW: Remicade (infliximab) is an autoimmune disorder drug known as a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blocker. It is approved by the FDA for treatment of psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
It was the first TNF antagonist available in the United States, and has been used by more patients world-wide than the other medications in the same class, Enbrel and Humira, combined. It is a blockbuster drug for the pharmaceutical giant, Johnson & Johnson.
REMICADE CANCER SIDE EFFECTS: In 2004, a warning letter was sent to healthcare professionals indicating that Remicade had been associated with more cases of lymphoma among patients receiving the drug. A study published in the May 17, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that Remicade side effects could triple the risk of developing cancer.
In June 2008, the FDA released an early communication about an ongoing safety review involving Remicade and a possible association with the development of lymphoma and other cancers among children and young adults and a Remicade black box cancer warning was added in August 2009.
At least 30 reports of childhood cancer were received by the FDA involving the use of TNF blockers. Other medications indicated in this early communication were Humira and Enbrel.
According to Johnson & Johnson, among children taking Remicade, most of the reports of juvenile cancer involved those treated for the bowel disorder Crohn’s disease. Approximately half of the cancers seen in all children and young adults taking TNF blockers were lymphomas, including both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of cells in the immune system. Lymphoma is not a recognized complication of JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis) or of Crohn’s disease. Other cancers reported included leukemia, melanoma and solid organ cancers.
REMICADE FUNGAL INFECTIONS: A number of users who were receiving TNF blockers, such as Remicade, have experienced fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis, blastomycosis and cocciioidmycosis. In several of these cases the infection resulted in death.
In September 2008, the FDA issued an alert to healthcare providers to provide new information about the risk of Remicade fungal infections. At that time the agency also indicated that new information will be added to the Remicade black box warning to ensure that doctors and consumers are aware of the risk, especially for those who live in or visit areas where fungus is prevalent.
Unfortunately, many cases of fungal infections from Remicade go undiagnosed by doctors, since the symptoms are similar to the flu. Symptoms could include cough, fever, fatigue, loss of weight, sweating and shortness of breath.
212 comments
I began Remicade treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis in August 2001. I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in May of 2003. I survived (just barely) the surgery and continued with Remicade until 2012 when I contracted MRSA. Since then I have made dietary changes that appear to work better than the Remicade. I have been on an anti-fungal diet for five years and have very few symptoms of the arthritis which in 2001 were severe. The big things to avoid are wheat, corn and legumes. I am convinced there was a connection between Remicade and the cancer I suffered from.
I was my drs. First remicade patient. In all these yrs, I’ve never been told my remicade could cause lupus…that’s where I am now..I knew something bad was wrong because of symptoms…it’s hard enough learning to live w chrons, fibro, RA, ..and all the other things..but, too have to tell my dr. That I thought I had lupus from the symptoms, and be told that it prolly was because remicade cause lupus..this has taken my life from me …
I was on remicade from 2000ish to 2008, my Dr stopped doing infusions at his office was what I was told, in 2010 I was fine 1 minute and then every muscle in my body tensed up and I sounded drunk,pouring sweat and it passed as quickly as came? 1 time thing didn’t think about it,2011 I was sitting on my couch the only one awake got my headphones in,my husband popped up out of no where and again I froze so I thought well maybe it’s anxiety,went to a therapist,but beginning 11/2013 the freezingame or seizing muscles has turned from that to falling down out of nowhere, I would be walking around on my knees because I couldn’t stand on my own feet,and muscle jerks everywhere on my body lasting 5 days or more, I’m seeing a neurologist who’s thinks it’s some kind of nueropsychological side effect of remicade? Idk but it’s not moral how because I didn’t know what the damage really was remicade in time for the class action lawsuit against them, what about us?
2015 I was on humira then remicade was tried neither did anything but nearly killed me I never recovered have ankylosing spontilitis and median arculate ligament syndrome a excruciating vascular disease, because I lost my job then forced on disability I cannot get treatment or surgery. Trapped in my trailer because hospital will do nothing but tell me assisted suicide is my only option only if I can pay in cash. Waiting for end to come there is no doubt these drugs caused this and a possible deadly fungal infection I can get no treatment for not even the deadly pain, doctors I saw gave me this medication with a smile was never informed how deadly they are was exposed to deadly large amounts of it was all about these companies and doctors profit off of my death no doubt I have proof now. Can’t do anything but die in most excruciating pain how long can’t even get a answer there but being that I’m trapped unable to move in pain now it’s looking pretty soon.
Had a severe reaction to Remicade and still recuperating from symptoms. Developed severe arthritis joint and muscle pain. Chills, fever, fatigue and confusion that has lasted weeks. Out of breath, gained weight and still have numbness and tingling in my arms from the elbows down. Had to stop working and haven’t yet returned. Remicade has taken months of my life away.
I have been on remecade infustion for over two years until I got antibodies and had to stop. During which time I was on remecade iravenous at the cancer ward for over 6 hours at a time. I became very dizzy, severly nauseas. I have bowel problems. I eat something and it goes right through me. Ulcertive colities. Remecade infusion damages healthy cells and tissues. I have had nausea so severe I had to go to emergency room many times. My eyes were yellish, balck around the eyse. I looked and felt like I was dieing slowly. I got monoelonal antibody.Pain and swelling around the injection site for the IV. I have been deatly ill after taking remecade intravenous, I have been sick 6-7 times a year. It’s horrible. Im sick right now. This drug destroyed my immune system. I have a migraine headache every day, I stomach pain all the time, major nausea. My face flusing and red and constantly runnin a low grade fever 101 plus. Swelling of feet and hand’s. My right eye lost pherifea vision and I could not see colors. I almost lost my right eye sight. I got MRSA, more than once and I am a very clean person. I get confused, and have muscle weakness. I also have irregular heartbeats on medication from my heart doctor. I got a horrible rach over my back arms, . I have a cough and sore throat. NIght sweats. Hard time breathing because I am so prone to bronchitis, also have a vaginal discharge. Remecade infustion has done more damage to me than my disease. I had to stop because I got antibodies. Besides my family told me I looked like I was dying. I was weak had to go to bed for days and rest after each infusion by intravenous. In the cancer ward. Please help me. I deserve a settlement for what I have been through. Thank you in advance for reviewing my case and I will waiting for you to contact me. God Bless
my dr. put me on REMCCADE for my CROHN’S … after my second injection , I got a infection on my RT.SIDE rib area, starts as a small pimple but opened up to a 1/4 inch wide by 6 inch long , deep enough that DR. STUCK his finger in.
if this lawsuit is still open please put me on it … if you need any more information please email me thank you
I began remicade infusions in the spring of 2011. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis. I was 62 and had never gone to a rheumatologist about it. I just saw my chiropractor every week and was satisfied with the results. But being retired I wonder if there was something more I could do. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE. She started me on Remicade infusions. I trusted her. I should not have. At that time there were warnings sent to dostors about the effects of remicade. A black box listing. She gambled with my life and I lost. I now have Microbacterial Avium. There is no cure. I need to be on 3 antibiotics for the rest of my life. I have no energy, my lungs are being eaten away by the bacteria and I will slowly suffocate. She knew it was dangerous but my best guess is she wanted the pharmaceutical kick back added to her paycheck when she enlists another patient into the Remicade program. Now, in 2018, I sit at home, to tires to ride a bike, go shopping with friends, or even have lunch with them. I dreamed of vacations but now if I went it would be just a series of naps of countries I am too tired to see. I imagine she is touring the world , first class not worried at all about how she ruined my life.
I was given Remicade against the recommendation of a Mayo Clinic doctor in 2017. After the second infusion, I developed Lupus Markers and contracted full blown Psoriasis which ended my competitive career as a Dancesport athlete. I lost my ability to work, earn a living, perform and compete as I’ve only ever wanted to do from the time I was a little girl. I couldn’t wear clothes, shower, go out in the sun, keep up my training as a dancer because sweat and clothing would cause my skin to come off in bloody patches and leave me in horrible agony. I have had three trips to the ER for various infections- I have to carry an Epi- Pen around all the time in case I have a reaction to hell knows what because the doctors were unable to tell me what I was reacting so badly to. I was hospitalized for infected (suspicion of sepsis due to injection) Bloody and Open Psoriasis rashes all over my back, chest, arms, neck, face and scalp. I lost a good chunk of my hair. It is still growing back after two years. Not only that, but I was only formally diagnosed with Psoriasis in August of 2017 after being miserable for two months because the Derma clinic wouldn’t see me (due to so called appointment backlog or full schedule or something) despite of a referral from my PA at the time. All of this because of Remicade. this stuff is poison and did away with my life. I now wonder if I will be able to return to University in the Fall on scholarship or be able to teach children to dance. This is awful! I am currently dealing with another Psoriatic rash on my face, neck and eye. I have severe depression and do not want to leave my house when I have a flare of this! This is ridiculous and heartbreaking!
I was out of Remicade infusions and also give 15mg of Triximac back in 2017/2018 for treatment of Chronic Crohn’s disease.
Then in 20july 2018 I was diagnosed with APL Leukaemia.
I have been taking Remicade since mid 2000’s. I have been experiencing brain fog, general weakness, anxiety and now learned after I went to the emergency room this lasts July for a Crohn’s flare up that there is a node on my lung According to the records it has been there since 2015 but now in 2019 I am aware of it. A specialist I was referred to advised me it is histoplamosis caused by the Remicade. I am waiting to have a bronchoscope to help determine what treatment would be best for me.
Was on Remicade for 6 years and had sinus surgery done because of it. Then I built up antibodies against it and have been on Stelara. At the same time I was on Remicade I was taking Ranitidine for stomach acid issues but stopped it and took Famotidine instead after a short trial of regular antacids that did not do the job. At the time I started Famotidine I was on Stelara for the Crohns. Well, now I have cancer in my neck and at the back of my mouth. All I can say, is be proactive and take your health into your own hands because doctors don’t always watch what they are doing. Yes, I did smoke but quit in 2008 and I did drink but quit in 2004 but the doctors all want to pin my cancer to the smoking and drinking. I don’t think so!!!!