Infusion Therapies
If you are prescribed a biologic drug or any of the treatments below, you’ll receive those infusions or injections in the comfort of our offices, even on Saturday.
If the biologic drug prescribed for you is not listed on this page, we still may offer infusions of it. Talk to your rheumatologist or call our office and ask—215-657-6776.
You doctor or nurse will discuss potential side effects some patients experience with these treatments. You can also read more about each medicine and its side effects on each drug’s website.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments
REMICADE® (infliximab)
Remicade is classified as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitor and helps stop inflammation and joint damage. When used with methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), infusions of Remicade can reduce signs and symptoms, help prevent further joint damage, and improve physical function for patients with moderately to severe RA.
Remicade is also used to treat:
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- Plaque Psoriasis
- Crohn’s Disease (CD)
- Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Remicade is given by intravenous (IV) infusion in our offices. If you are prescribed Remicade, after your first three doses, you will most likely return for about 6 infusions per year. Each infusion takes up to 2 hours.
ORENCIA® (abatacept)
ORENCIA is used in adults to reduce signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It may prevent further bone and joint damage and improve physical function.
ORENCIA may be used alone or with other RA treatments.
If you are prescribed ORENCIA, after your first three doses, you will come to the office for an intravenous (IV) infusion every 4 weeks. Each infusion takes 30 minutes.
RITUXAN® (rituximab)
Rituxan is used with methotrexate to treat adult patients who have moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is often used for patients who have not responded well to other RA treatments.
Rituxan reduces signs and symptoms of RA and can slow progression of joint and bone damage. Patients who receive infusions of Rituxan often see improvements that can last through six months.
The drug is also approved to treat Wegener’s granulomatosis and microscopic polyangilitis.
If you are prescribed Rituxan, you will come to the office for IV infusions at a frequency determined by your doctor based on your diagnosis.
ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab)
ACTEMRA is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor.
It is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
ACTEMRA blocks a substance in the body called interleukin-6 which is overproduced by people with RA. Improvements of RA symptoms have been reported within a few weeks after starting treatment.
If you are prescribed ACTEMRA, you’ll receive an intravenous (IV) infusion given over 1 hour every 4 weeks.
CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol)
CIMZIA is a medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is referred to as an “anti-TNF therapy.” By blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, CIMZIA helps reduce the inflammation, stiffness and joint damage RA causes. CIMZIA may be taken with or without other RA medications like methotrexate. Cimzia® is also used to treat Psoiatic Arthritis (Psa) and Ankylosing Spondilitis.
In clinical trials, CIMZIA has been shown to reduce RA pain, stiffness, and fatigue in as fast as 1 to 2 weeks. Many patients experienced lasting relief at both 6 months and 1 year.
If you are prescribed CIMZIA, you’ll come to our offices to receive an injection under the skin. After your first 3 doses, you’ll need a new injection every 4 weeks.
SIMPONI ARIA® (golimumab)
SIMPONI ARIA is used in combination with methotrexate for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Different patients see different results but, in general, this medicine has been proven to help:
- relieve the pain, stiffness, and swelling of RA
- stop further joint damage
- improve your ability to perform every day activities with less difficulty
If you are prescribed SIMPONI ARIA, you will come to our offices to receive an infusion through a needle placed in your vein, usually in your arm. After two starter doses, 4 weeks apart, you will return for an infusion once every 8 weeks. Each infusion takes about 30 minutes.
Lupus Treatment
BENLYSTA® (belimumab)
BENLYSTA is a prescription medication used to treat adults with active systemic lupus erythematous (SLE or lupus), who are receiving other lupus medicines.
BENLYSTA is a biologic therapy that works by reducing certain cells in your immune system that can make lupus active.
If you are prescribed BENLYSTA, you will come to the office for an intravenous (IV) infusion given over 1 hour every 4 weeks. Preparation time before the infusion may vary. For the first three infusions, you’ll need an infusion every two weeks. After the first three, you’ll come in every 4 weeks for an infusion.
Osteoporosis Treatments
PROLIA® (denosumab)
Prolia is a prescription medication for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who have an increased risk for fractures. The drug can help reduce fracture risk and strengthen your bones.
Prolia is also used to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis who have a high risk for bone fracture. It is also used to treat patients who have not benefitted from or are unable to tolerate other available osteoporosis treatments.
If you are prescribed Prolia, you will come to the office to receive a shot of the drug once every 6 months.
RECLAST® (Zoledronic acid)
Reclast is the only FDA-approved once-a-year osteoporosis treatment. Reclast, along with daily calcium and vitamin D, helps to increase bone density, protecting and strengthening your bones.
Reclast is approved for:
- Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
- Reducing the incidence of new bone fractures in patients at high risk of fractures (those with recent low-trauma hip fracture)
- Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis
- Treatment of Paget’s disease of the bone for both men and women
If you are prescribed Reclast, you will come to our office to receive one dose through intravenous (IV) infusion treatment once a year. The infusion takes at least 15 minutes to administer.
BONIVA® (imandronate sodium injection)
BONIVA injections are prescribed for osteoporosis treatment in women who have completed menopause. The drug helps build and maintain bone density to help reduce bone fractures.
BONIVA injections are an alternative for patients who have difficulty with medicines taken by mouth.
Your doctor or nurse practitioner may prescribe BONIVA injection for any of the following reasons, including if you:
- Have difficulty swallowing
- Forget to take your osteoporosis pills
- Cannot sit or stand for 30-60 minutes
- Are taking many other pills
- Do not want to fast (postpone food or drink) before taking the medicine
If you are prescribed BONIVA, you will come to the office to receive an injection once every three months.
Gout Treatment
KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase)
KRYSTEXXA is used as a treatment of chronic gout in adults. It is usually given after other gout medications have been tried without success.
Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid in your blood. KRYSTEXXA is an enzyme that breaks down uric acid so that it can be eliminated from the body in urine.
If you are prescribed KRYSTEXXA, you will receive it through intravenous (IV) infusion at a frequency determined by your doctor based on your diagnosis. Each infusion takes about 2 hours with an additional 60 minutes for observation to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction to it.
Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease
ENTYVIO® (vedolizumab)
ENTYVIO® is a medicine used in adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) when certain other medicines have not worked well or cannot be tolerated. ENTYVIO® may help to reduce some symptoms, and maintain remission, reduce or stop the use of corticosteroids, and improve the way the lining of your large intestine looks to your healthcare provider.
ENTYVIO® is a medicine used in adults to treat moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD) when certain other CD medicines have not worked well or cannot be tolerated. ENTYVIO® may help to begin reducing some symptoms, possibly achieve remission, and reduce or stop the use of corticosteroids.
If you are prescribed ENTYVIO® you will receive your treatment intravenously. Each infusion takes 30 minutes. After your first initial 3 doses, you will receive an infusion every 8 weeks.
CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol)
CIMZIA® is a medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is referred to as an “anti-TNF therapy.” By blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, CIMZIA® helps reduce the inflammation, stiffness and joint damage RA causes. CIMZIA® may be taken with or without other RA medications like methotrexate. Cimzia® is also used to treat Psoiatic Arthritis (Psa) and Ankylosing Spondilitis.
In clinical trials, CIMZIA® has been shown to reduce RA pain, stiffness, and fatigue in as fast as 1 to 2 weeks. Many patients experienced lasting relief at both 6 months and 1 year.
If you are prescribed CIMZIA®, you’ll come to our offices to receive an injection under the skin. After your first 3 doses, you’ll need a new injection every 4 weeks.
STELARA® (ustekinumab)
Stelara® is a prescription medicine classified as an interleukin-12 and 23 antagonist used to treat adults with Crohn’s, active psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Stelara® for the treatment of Crohn’s disease can help in reducing symptoms of Crohn’s disease and possibly go into remission. For the treatment of Crohn’s patient the initial treatment starts with a one-time intravenous infusion followed by subcutaneous injections every 8 weeks.
Stelara® for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis works by targeting an underlying cause of an overactive immune system. Stelara® for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis starts with the administration of an initial subcutaneous injection followed by an injection at 4 weeks then a continued treatment every 12 weeks.