Spondyloarthropathies can cause both pediatric and adult patients to experience joint pain as well as aches and discomfort all over the body. The conditions can be disruptive to everyday life, which can add a sense of frustration and hopelessness. The burden of living with such chronic conditions are often exacerbated by the fact that some individuals have failed to obtain relief from traditional oral prescription medications.
What are Spondyloarthropathies?
Spondyloarthropathies refer to a group of chronic diseases that result in inflammation of the joints and spine. These include psoriatic arthritis, peripheral spondyloarthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic spondyloarthritis, and reactive arthritis. In addition to causing joint pain, people with spondyloarthropathies also live with chronic back pain and stiffness. While they could affect patients of any age, the conditions are most common in teenagers and males in their 20s — especially those with a family history.
Infusion Therapy for Spondyloarthropathies
In healthy individuals, the immune system makes TNF naturally. However, autoimmune disorders — such as spondyloarthropathies — can cause it to create too much TNF, which leads to inflammation. Infusion therapy is administered with biologics and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha-blockers, which are medications designed to help stop inflammation.
Infusion therapy for spondyloarthropathies is an ideal alternative for people for whom oral medications have failed to alleviate symptoms. It’s also a solution for people with underlying medical conditions that make it difficult or impossible to swallow pills.
What to Expect
When you visit any of our Infusion Associates locations, you will first meet with one of our experienced healthcare professionals, who will discuss with you all the details of your treatment. This includes information about dosage, length of each therapy, and possible side effects. You can also take this time to address any questions or concerns you may have. Once this initial meeting concludes, you will be escorted to one of our treatment rooms — you may also request a private one prior to your scheduled appointment.
All of our treatment rooms are designed to make you feel as comfortable as possible. You will receive your infusion treatments while sitting in a reclining chair. We also provide blankets, WiFi, TV, and warm beverages. You can also bring your own snacks. In addition, one of our doctors or nurses will monitor the infusion throughout its duration to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Common Medications Used to Treat Spondyloarthropathies
There are several FDA-approved biologics used to treat spondyloarthropathies. These include:
- Remicade
- Humira
- Cimzia
- Simponi Aria
- Inflectra
- Renflexis
- Enbrel
Side Effects
As with any prescription medications, infusion therapy carries a risk of side effects. These can vary from person to person and could range from mild to severe. The most common ones include:
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Flu-like symptoms
- Stomach pain
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin rash
- High blood pressure
- Viral infections
If Your Doctor Has Recommended Infusion Therapy for Spondyloarthropathies, Let Infusion Associates Help You
At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a registered pharmacist on-site to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at 616-954-0600 or filling out this form.