Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to tumor
necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and blocks its activity. Overproduction of TNFa,
which is a key inflammatory mediator, leads to inflammation in conditions,
such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.  
  
The use of infliximab will be considered to be medically reasonable and
necessary in the following circumstances:  
  
 To reduce the signs and symptoms, and induce and maintain clinical remission
in adult and pediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's
disease in patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional
therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, and immunosuppressive
agents).  
  
 To reduce the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas
and maintaining fistula closure for patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease.
Normally, the patient receives an infusion for this indication at weeks 0, 2 &
6\. Subsequent treatments will be covered if the patient responds to the
initial treatment as demonstrated by a reduction in signs and symptoms.  
  
 To reduce the signs and symptoms of active arthritis, inhibiting the
progression of structural damage and improving physical function, in patients
with psoriatic arthritis. Normally, the patient receives an infusion for this
indication at weeks 0, 2 & 6\. Subsequent treatments will be covered if the
patient responds to the initial treatment as demonstrated by a reduction in
signs and symptoms.  
  
 When used in combination with methotrexate, to reduce the signs and
symptoms, inhibit the progression of structural damage and improve physical
function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
Normally, the patient receives an infusion of infliximab for this indication
at weeks 0, 2 & 6 and then approximately every 8 weeks.  
  
 To reduce the signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing
spondylitis. Normally the patient receives an infusion for this indication at
0, 2 & 6 weeks. Subsequent treatment will be covered if the patient responds
to the initial treatment as demonstrated by a reduction in signs and symptoms.  
  
 For the treatment of adult patients with chronic severe plaque psoriasis (as
evidenced by plaques covering at least 10% of the body surface) who have
failed prior treatment with psoralen-ultraviolet A (UVA), or ultraviolet B
(UVB) light therapy; or are candidates for systemic therapy when other
conventional systemic therapies have failed (methotrexate, cyclosporine,
Soriatane); or the patient has contraindications to these treatments.
Infliximab should only be administered to patients who will be closely
monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician. Normally the
patient receives an infusion at 0, 2 & 6 weeks and every 8 weeks thereafter.  
  
 To reduce signs and symptoms, achieve clinical remission and mucosal
healing, and eliminate corticosteroid use in patients with moderately to
severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to
conventional therapy, such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, or
immunosuppressants (unless the patient is unable to tolerate these drugs).
Normally, the patient receives an infusion for this indication at 0, 2 & 6
weeks, and then every 8 weeks thereafter.  
  
 As an off-label use for reactive arthritis and  inflammatory bowel disease
(e.g,. Reiter's syndrome who have failed or are intolerant to non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), methotrexate and sulfasalazine).  
  
 As an off-label use for hidradenitis suppurativa in the treatment of persons
with severe disease refractory to systemic antibiotics and surgical
treatments.  
  
 As an off-label use for Behcet's Disease (BD), also known as Behcet's
Syndrome, in patients without an adequate response to initial therapy, for the
treatment of clinical manifestations of BD such as severe ocular involvement,
major organ involvement, severe gastrointestinal or neurological involvement
and resistant cases of joint or mucocutaneous involvement (i.e., painful oral
and genital ulcers).  
  
 As an off-label use for patients with chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis who
remain symptomatic despite treatment for 3 or more months with steroids (10 mg
per day or more) and immunosuppressants (such as azathioprine,
cyclophosphamide or methotrexate) or have a contraindication or intolerance to
one immunosuppressant (such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, or
methotrexate) and the patient is not receiving infliximab in combination with
either of the following: 1) Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
(DMARDs) [e.g., Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia
(certolizumab), Simponi (golimumab)] 2) Janus kinase inhibitor [e.g., Xeljanz
(tofacitinib)]. The current and prospective roles of infliximab in the
treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis do not currently have food and drug
administration (FDA) approval; therefore, it is recommended that providers
consult the literature for proper dosing of infliximab.  
  
 **Note:** For patients, who are unable to tolerate methotrexate or in the
rare instance that methotrexate is contraindicated for a patient, treatment
with infliximab alone will be covered only if documentation is maintained in
the patient's record that clearly indicates the reason that the patient cannot
take methotrexate.  
  
Infliximab will only be covered for the above indications when no
contraindications to its use exist including:

                a. Class III or IV congestive heart failure; or

        b. Untreated active or latent tuberculosis

  
**LIMITATIONS**

When used in combination with other biologic, such as Enbrel(etanercept),
Kineret (anakinra), Orencia(abatacept), Rituxan(rituximab),
Humira(adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab), Simponi (golimumab), or a Janus
kinase inhibitor [e.g. Xeljanz (tofacitinib)], infliximab is considered not
medically reasonable and necessary and therefore, not covered.