title: Infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease: attention to adverse events.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and adverse effects of infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis who are resistant to conventional therapy or having fistulising type Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients with a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease received infliximab between 2007 and 2009 were followed-up prospectively. Infliximab 5 mg/kg was given at week 0, 2, 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter. Early and late adverse events occurring during the treatment were recorded for each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 36 patients [mean age 35±12, 17 male] included in the study. Thirty-two (88%) patients were receiving concomitant long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Complete or partial response was obtained in 75% of all patients. At least one adverse event was observed in 10 (28%) patients. Anaphylaxis was seen in 2 (6%) patients, mild acute infusion reaction in 2 (6%) patients, hypotension in 2 (6%) patients, respiratory distress in 2 (6%) patients, skin rash and eruptions in 2 (6%) patients, one hypertension (3%) and one (3%) tightness in the chest. Treatment was continued in all except patients with anaphylaxis. No infection, tumour or cases of death were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several adverse events might be observed in patients who receive infliximab. Care should be given to patients whom treatment was restarted after a break in regard to anaphylaxis. No serious adverse event was observed during infliximab treatment except allergic events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Harran University, Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa, Turkey. auyanikoglu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uyanikoglu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ermis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akyuz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinarbasi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aydogan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Besisik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaymakoglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab