How to Use Remicade After Small Bowel Resection

Remicade is a medication available for prescription only and used for a range of treatments, including small bowel resection due to Crohn's disease, ulcers or intestinal obstruction. Remicade is also used to treat ulcerative colitis (which occurs when intestines and the stomach bleed). Remicade is delivered in IV injections, so a trip to your doctor's office will be necessary for its use.

Instructions

1. Talk with your doctor first about your condition before he administers Remicade. Make sure it is the appropriate treatment for your small bowel resection.

2. Bring a list containing all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you are currently taking, so that your doctor can determine whether there will be any interactions with other medications while taking Remicade. Provide your full medical history as well.

3. It is important that you allow two hours for the doctor's visit so that you will be able to receive this medication through an IV drip. You may eat or drink regularly before taking Remicade, as there are no food restrictions while taking this medication.

4. Understand how your doses will be administered. Your doctor will give you specific details, but doses typically follow a six-week plan of three treatments. After that, patients are typically given injections once every two months.

Tips & Warnings

• Discuss with your doctor any unpleasant side effects you may experience as a result of taking Remicade. Side effects may include flu-like symptoms (fever, chills), as well as feeling exhausted, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), hives, chest pain or swelling of the face, throat or tongue. Get help immediately if you experience any negative side effects after having Remicade administered to you.

References

• Remicade
• Small Bowel Resection