| Rheumatoid Arthritis

Remicade vs Purified Cortrophin Gel

Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for rheumatoid arthritis.

Deep comparison between: Remicade vs Purified Cortrophin Gel with Prescriber.AI

AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.

Safety signalsPurified Cortrophin Gel has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Remicade based on FDA-approved prescribing information

Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Purified Cortrophin Gel but not Remicade, including UnitedHealthcare

Category

Remicade

Purified Cortrophin Gel

At A Glance

RouteIV infusion

FrequencyEvery 8 weeks

ClassTNF-alpha inhibitor

RouteSC/IM injection

ClassCorticotropin (ACTH)

Indications

Crohn Disease
Ulcerative Colitis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis, Psoriatic
Psoriasis vulgaris

Arthritis, Psoriatic
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Primary gout
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Polymyositis
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Psoriasis
Dermatitis, Atopic
Serum Sickness
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Keratitis
Iritis
Iridocyclitis
Uveitis
Optic Neuritis
Chorioretinitis
Sarcoidosis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis

Dosing

Crohn Disease, Ulcerative Colitis 5 mg/kg IV induction at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks (adults and pediatric patients >= 6 years).

Rheumatoid Arthritis 3 mg/kg IV induction at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks in combination with methotrexate; dose may be increased up to 10 mg/kg every 8 weeks or every 4 weeks for incomplete responders.

Arthritis, Psoriatic, Psoriasis vulgaris 5 mg/kg IV induction at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks.

Arthritis, Psoriatic, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Primary gout, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Polymyositis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Atopic, Serum Sickness, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Keratitis, Iritis, Iridocyclitis, Uveitis, Optic Neuritis, Chorioretinitis, Sarcoidosis, Nephrotic Syndrome Dose individualized based on disease severity, plasma and urine corticosteroid levels, and patient response; administer SC or IM; verify adrenal responsiveness prior to treatment (up to 80 units as a single injection); chronic doses above 40 units daily associated with uncontrollable adverse effects.

Multiple Sclerosis 80-120 units daily SC or IM for 2-3 weeks for acute exacerbations.

Contraindications

Doses >5 mg/kg in patients with moderate or severe heart failure
Previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab, any inactive ingredient of REMICADE, or any murine proteins (including anaphylaxis, hypotension, and serum sickness)

Intravenous administration
Scleroderma
Osteoporosis
Systemic fungal infections
Ocular herpes simplex
Recent surgery
History of or presence of a peptic ulcer
Congestive heart failure
Hypertension
Sensitivity to proteins derived from porcine sources
Primary adrenocortical insufficiency
Adrenocortical hyperfunction

Drug Interactions

1225View drug interactions

648View drug interactions

Adverse Reactions

Most common (>10%) Infections (upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, pharyngitis), infusion-related reactions, headache, abdominal pain.

Serious Pneumonia, cellulitis, abscess, sepsis, bacterial infection, hepatotoxicity, acute liver failure, malignancies (including lymphoma), pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia.

Postmarketing Neutropenia, agranulocytosis, interstitial lung disease, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, peripheral demyelinating disorders, anaphylactic shock, cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial ischemia/infarction.

Fluid and Electrolyte Sodium retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, fluid retention, calcium loss, potassium loss

Musculoskeletal Muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass, steroid myopathy, osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, pathologic fracture of long bones

Gastrointestinal Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, abdominal distention, ulcerative esophagitis, pancreatitis

Dermatologic Injection site reactions, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, thin fragile skin, suppression of skin test reactions, petechiae and ecchymoses, acne, hyperpigmentation, facial erythema

Cardiovascular Hypertension, congestive heart failure, necrotizing angiitis

Neurological Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema, headache, vertigo

Endocrine Menstrual irregularities, Cushingoid state, suppression of growth in children, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary insufficiency, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, hirsutism

Ophthalmic Posterior subcapsular cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma with possible damage to optic nerve, exophthalmos

Metabolic Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism

Allergic Dizziness, nausea and vomiting, skin reactions, anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock, urticaria, respiratory compromise, edema)

Miscellaneous Weight gain, abscess, development of antibodies and loss of stimulatory effect

Pharmacology

TNF-alpha antagonist; infliximab is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the biological activity of TNF-alpha by binding with high affinity to both soluble and transmembrane forms of TNF-alpha and inhibiting its binding to receptors, thereby reducing inflammation in RA, CD, UC, AS, PsA, and Ps.

Purified Cortrophin Gel is an anterior pituitary hormone (corticotropin/ACTH) that stimulates the functioning adrenal cortex to produce and secrete adrenocortical hormones; it is formulated as a porcine-derived purified ACTH in a sterile gelatin solution for prolonged activity.

View Full FDA Information

View full FDA information

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Most Common Insurance

Anthem BCBS

Remicade