IV Therapy for Autoimmune Conditions
For patients with autoimmune conditions, intravenous (IV) or infusion therapies offers several benefits that may significantly enhance quality of life and disease/symptom management. As part of a treatment plan, IV therapy often allows for a faster onset of action and more consistent blood levels versus oral medications or self-injections, which can be critical during disease flares or for patients with severe or refractory disease. Infusion therapy at Recovery Rheum is administered under the medical supervision Dr. John D. Carter, MD, in our dedicated treatment room to confirm accurate dosing and monitor for side effects while providing comprehensive patient support. Additionally, certain therapies offer less frequent dosing schedules, which may be monthly, bi-monthly, and even an annual visit, to improve consistency, convenience, and proper dosages. In general, as part of treating an autoimmune diagnosis, IV/infusion therapies are administered according to the patient's specific treatment plans and needs, offering targeted relief while helping patients maintain daily function and long-term health.
Common IV / Infusion Therapies at Recovery Rheum
Actemra® (tocilizumab) - a monoclonal antibody that blocks the IL-6 receptor used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, cytokine release syndrome, and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Actemra® reduces inflammation, joint damage, and slows disease progression.
Benlysta® (belimumab) - a monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) used in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus nephritis. Benlysta® reduces lupus flares and helps control immune system overactivity.
Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) - an anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) biologic used in treating autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Cimzia® reduces inflammation and improves joint and gut symptoms and may allow for longer-lasting results from the pegylation.
Cosentyx® (secukinumab) - an IL-17A inhibitor used in treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Cosentyx® promotes rapid skin clearance, effective joint symptom control, and sustained remission in spondyloarthropathies.
Evenity® (romosozumab) - is a monoclonal antibody that increases bone formation and decreases resorption, thus increasing BMD (bone mineral density) and is used in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis at high risk for fracture. Evenity® supports building new bone quickly while slowing bone loss, a dual-action therapy that can improve BMD faster than traditional drugs.
Gammagard® (immune globulin) - an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) product used in treating primary immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, and neuropathies. Gammagard® replaces missing antibodies, modulates immune response, and reduces autoimmune attack.
Ilaris® (canakinumab) - an IL-1β inhibitor used in treating periodic fever syndromes, Still’s disease, and other rare auto-inflammatory disorders. Ilaris® reduces inflammation and fever attacks and, in some rare conditions, may improve overall quality of life.
Krystexxa® (pegloticase) - an enzyme therapy that breaks down uric acid used in treating chronic, treatment-resistant gout. Kystexxa® rapidly lowers uric acid levels, resolves tophi (crystal deposits), and relieves joint pain.
Octagam® (immune globulin) - an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) product used in treating primary immunodeficiencies, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Octagon® replaces antibodies and helps modulate abnormal immune responses.
Orencia® (abatacept) - a T-cell costimulation blocker used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Orencia® reduces immune system overactivation, slows joint damage, and is an alternative to TNF inhibitors.
Prolia® (denosumab) - a RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor κ B Ligand) inhibitor that slows bone resorption, which is used in treating osteoporosis as well as in treating bone loss in cancer patients. Prolia® reduces risk of fractures, especially spinal, and works differently than bisphosphonates that bind to the bone versus binding to the RANKL.
Reclast® (zoledronic acid) - an intravenous bisphosphonate used in treating osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and bone metastases. Reclast® is an infusion delivered once annually to reduce the risk of fractures while increasing bone density.
Remicade® (infliximab) - an anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) monoclonal antibody used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Remicade® offers strong anti-inflammatory effects, rapid symptom relief, and IV administration, which allows high bioavailability.
Rituxan® (rituximab) - a monoclonal antibody against CD20 on B cells used in treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain autoimmune diseases like vasculitis. Rituxan® depletes B cells to reduce immune attacks, which is useful for cancer and autoimmunity patients.
Saphnelo® (anifrolumab) - a type I interferon receptor antagonist used in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Saphnelo® targets key lupus pathway and improves skin / joint symptoms using fewer steroids.
Simponi Aria® (golimumab) - an anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) biologic (IV form) used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Simponi Aria® offers convenient IV dosing, long-lasting effect, inflammation reduction, and joint damage reduction.
Skyrizi® (risankizumab) - an IL-23 inhibitor used in treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. Skyrizi® promotes a high skin clearance rate, requires fewer doses per year, and support effective reduction in gut inflammation.
Stelara® (ustekinumab) - an IL-12 and IL-23 inhibitor used in treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Stelara® is typically well tolerated in dual cytokine inhibition with long-lasting control of skin and gut disease.
Tremfya® (guselkumab) - an IL-23 inhibitor used in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Tremfya® promotes strong skin clearance and has a good safety profile. These injections may be received every 8 weeks.
Using FDA-Approved IV/Infusion Therapy for Autoimmune Conditions
The use of Intravenous (IV) or infusion therapy in managing various autoimmune conditions are becoming a cornerstone for treatment plans. In offering targeted biologic and immunologic treatments approved that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Recovery Rheum includes monoclonal antibodies, immune modulators, and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in treating our patients suffering from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more. Medications like Remicade®, Orencia®, Benlysta®, Rituxan®, and Gammagard® are administered directly into the bloodstream, which accelerates delivery and allows for sustained systemic effects.
Want to learn more about IV / infusion therapy? Request an appointment with Dr. Carter today!
