Q: I am 27 years old male diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. The doctors asked me to take Remicade. I have taken Remicade for once. Should I need to have it again? Exercising and swimming are a part of my lifestyle. What are the side effects of Remicade?

A:Remicade is the brand name; the name of the medicine is infliximab. The dose in Ankylosing spondylitis is 5 mg per kg of the patient's body weight by i.v. infusion over 2 hrs, repeated 2 weeks and 6 weeks after first infusion, then every 6—8 weeks. The side effects which may or may not occur are: infections, fever, headache, vertigo, dizziness, flushing, upper or lower respiratory tract infection, breathlessness, sinusitis, stomach upset, skin reactions, fatigue, chest pain, abnormal liver function, infusion-related local reactions. Delayed allergic reactions may occur if patient retreated after a drug free interval. The response differs from patient to patient. Many patients get more than 50% relief after one course.