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Pre meds for Remicade?

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Posted 2/5/2022 5:53 AM (GMT -8)
Just wondering for those on Remicade, did you take pre meds before infusions?
When I was on Entyvio I did at the beginning. Then they were discontinued. Was pretty loopy when they gave me Benadryl and the steroid. Needed my husband to drive me. Rather go by myself. Less stress and just chill!
Posted 2/5/2022 5:59 AM (GMT -8)
I reacted while having my 3rd infusion, from then on I was given iv Benadryl & Soluble Medrol, plus they slowed down the infusion rate, never had a problem after that. Some drs will have the patient take a Claritin 45 minutes before the infusion. With all of this being said, not all drs give pre-meds. You need to ask your dr & see what he has to say.

Good luck.
Posted 2/5/2022 5:59 AM (GMT -8)
I just take Tylenol
Posted 2/5/2022 6:02 AM (GMT -8)
Straydog, have a feeling pre meds will be ordered. I really don’t mind if they do. Infusion center is really close by
Posted 2/5/2022 7:03 AM (GMT -8)
They give me Zyrtec and Tylenol before my infusions.
Posted 2/5/2022 8:48 AM (GMT -8)
Never had any pre meds for remicade or entyvio and never wanted any. Just given a big red button to press if i started to feel ill.
Posted 2/5/2022 10:48 AM (GMT -8)
No, I didn't.
Posted 2/5/2022 7:28 PM (GMT -8)
I had premeds when I first started Remicade in 2015. After about a year we stopped them.That time around I never had any type of a reaction. I recently had to pause my Remicade infusions, developed antibodies and we started premeds back up. The second time we started them I had the big button too....I just didn't realize I should have pushed it. I was in there reading my book and clearing my throat like crazy and coughing every once in a while... Lol..poopydoop you made me lol when you wrote that...it made me remember. Suddenly the nurses were in there giving me the "funny juice". (I am a giggler when they give me iv benedryl. I giggle for 5 minutes, fall asleep for awhile and wake up giggling again, then back to sleep.)

My premeds were like Straydogs. We also slowed my infusions way down. Currently they run alittle over 4 hours. If they give me the IV benedryl... After the 4 hour mark I can drive myself home. Then I have to take another dose when I get home at the 6 hour mark. (Just until my antibody level goes back down and my trough levels go up to 10.)

Clo

Post Edited (clo2014) : 2/5/2022 8:35:38 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/6/2022 4:25 AM (GMT -8)
Hey Clo! Wow 4 hours. Entyvio was less then an hour. Good to know I’ll bring lots of reading material. When I started Entyvio they gave me the same premeds. The infusion center was over an hour away. I needed a driver. This one is only 15 min away. I really won’t know until I get there I suppose.
Posted 2/6/2022 5:51 AM (GMT -8)
I forgot to mention the length of time too. Take a snack, a drink & something to entertain yourself. Be sure you are also well hydrated to avoid any unnecessary sticks.

Good luck.
Posted 2/6/2022 7:00 AM (GMT -8)
Usually Remicade infusions take an hour and a half at the place I go. They have always ran mine slow. My doctor thought it might make it so we could be on Remicade longer. (Some new study he read but hadn't been proven.) The longer run time made it so that I didn't have headaches as bad... And at anything shorter than the 3 hour mark... I would have to pull over and vomit once on the way home. Unsure if it was because of the killer headache or just nausea from the infusion. That does not happen very often--people getting that nauseated. With the longer run time it hasn't happened to me unless I get a new nurse and she does not time it right. I live about 2 hours from my infusion place.

The others getting Remicade at my infusion place.... It takes them alittle under 2 hours and they are still doing well. I've been on it 7 years. The others 10 to 15 years. They do not get headaches, nauseated or fatigued.

Do take your snacks and some water. I also put my zofran and Tylenol in my purse just in case.

Clo
Posted 2/6/2022 7:07 AM (GMT -8)
It took me about 4 hours at my infusion center, sometimes that included them trying to get the IV inserted for over an hour (yes, it was horrible, lol...I have small veins). Interesting to see the vastly differing infusion times shared here. You could always call your GI or infusion center in advance if you want a better idea beforehand. I really hope it works for you!
Posted 2/6/2022 7:18 AM (GMT -8)
I have never had pre-meds. My infusion is 2 hours. I asked them if they could run it faster and they said no. Altogether I am at the infusion center about a 3 to 3.5 hours depending on how long it takes then to mix the med and how long it takes the nurses to remove the IV at the end. The nurses start my IV while we are waiting for remi to be mixed.

Clo -- 1.5 hours for a remicade infusion sounds too fast. No wonder you had problems.
Posted 2/6/2022 7:51 AM (GMT -8)
I go to Florida cancer infusion center. I know it takes a bit longer. Cancer patients come first. I also have to have blood drawn before each infusion and see the the Doctor of the infusion center.
I too have a problem having the IV put in. One time it took 4 tries. Two different nurses.
Guess they are used to ports there.
Posted 2/6/2022 11:43 AM (GMT -8)
My infusions are 2.5 hours exactly every time that I’ve gotten them. It seems so long but they’ve told me they won’t run it any faster there.
Posted 2/15/2022 7:07 PM (GMT -8)
Tomorrow Wednesday I receive my loading dose of Remicade. Found out I do have pre meds ordered.
Sumo medrol, Benadryl and acetaminophen. Three hour appointment. Hopefully I don’t have too many side effects. Have my fingers crossed it helps🤞👍
Posted 2/15/2022 7:55 PM (GMT -8)
Hoping everything goes well.

Please let us know how it goes.

Clo
Posted 2/15/2022 8:15 PM (GMT -8)

straydog said...
I reacted while having my 3rd infusion, from then on I was given iv Benadryl & Soluble Medrol, plus they slowed down the infusion rate, never had a problem after that. Some drs will have the patient take a Claritin 45 minutes before the infusion. With all of this being said, not all drs give pre-meds. You need to ask your dr & see what he has to say.

Good luck.


What was your reaction? Did you continue with the infusions or change? I got a prickling sensation with my entyvio. The next day neuralgia pain on my face, and groin. Today I have what feels like an ear infection
Posted 2/16/2022 6:39 AM (GMT -8)
TAA,

My reactions to Remicade during infusion
Headache
Tingling
Ringing in ears
Drop in blood pressure
Elevated heart rate
Coughing-having a feeling of not being able to get enough air even though I could feel my lungs moving.

We stopped my infusion for 20 minutes, gave me the premeds I had refused and then restarted it. All the things listed above stopped. I went home very fatigued. I also took Benedryl at home for 24 hours the first time it happened. The very next infusion we did the premeds 1st. The same thing started to happen (not as severely) they gave me the 2nd half of the benedryl dose, waited 20 minutes, restarted infusion and I was fine. Left fatigued and took benedryl 12 hours after that infusion. I will go in for my 3rd infusion (post reaction) in 2 weeks and we will see what happens then.

Clo

Post Edited (clo2014) : 2/16/2022 3:02:14 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/16/2022 6:45 AM (GMT -8)
TAA, my BP spiked somewhat, face was red & I got a little winded. The infusion was stopped immediately. My dr was in the hospital & he came down to see me. They gave me the pre-meds, slowed down the infusion rate & I was fine. From then on this was my protocol & I never had another reaction.

Don't let your mind get in overdrive, we all know you are terrified. One day at a time, sometimes it's one minute at a time.

Take care.
Posted 2/16/2022 11:05 AM (GMT -8)
Had the Remicade first infusion. They first gave me 650 mg of Tylenol and Benadryl drip for 20 min.
Two hour infusion. I was just tired from the pre meds. Had peanut and jelly crackers at infusion. Was very hungry. So I guess all is well. Felt fine ! Was still hungry when I got home. Have another one in three weeks.
Were most of your side effects latter in the day or during the infusion?
Posted 2/16/2022 12:21 PM (GMT -8)
My very first remicade infusion, I felt a little lightheaded or out of it afterwards for about an hour or 2, and my BP had dropped the last time they checked it during the infusion. I drove back to the infusion center after sitting in my car an hour or so and eating lunch. My BP was back to normal. I never had another reaction after that first one. I do not miss getting infusions at all. It was a huge hassle and stressful for me.
Posted 2/16/2022 1:26 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Sara,
Not particularly fond of getting infusions. Pain in my ass lol.
Hopefully this works ! If not on to the next one.
Next infusion is in 3 weeks. Still very tired from the Benadryl.
My husband took me and picked me up. Glad he did !
Posted 2/16/2022 1:36 PM (GMT -8)
Yep, huge pain. Glad you had someone to drive you, that's nice. Hope it works.
Posted 2/16/2022 1:59 PM (GMT -8)
I get Inflectra which is the biosimilar to Remicade. I’m always really tired after my infusion. Not sure if it’s the pre med, actual medication or just the stress of the day. They give me Zyrtec but I always wonder if it’s a stronger dose than what is available over the counter. I start getting tired about 30 mins after taking it. I always go take a nap after.
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