Remicade: first biological agent for paediatric ulcerative colitis

It may be used in those who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy, including corticosteroids and 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine, or if such therapies are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Licensed dose

The recommended dose of infliximab is 5mg/kg given as an intravenous infusion over 2 hours, repeated 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the first infusion, and every 8 weeks thereafter. Study data do not support continued use in children who fail to respond within the first 8 weeks of treatment.

Clinical study

A total of 60 children aged 6–17 years with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis (Mayo score of 6–12; endoscopic subscore ≥2) who had an inadequate response to conventional therapy were recruited for a 54-week, multicentre, open-label study of infliximab. Altogether, 73.3% of patients showed a clinical response to infliximab at week 8, with an overall remission rate of 28.6% at study end.

Also indicated in adults

Remicade is also indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis in adults.

View Remicade drug record

Further information: Schering-Plough Ltd