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Infusion Center

Infusion Center

At SMC Rheumatology, patients are treated with expert infusion services in the comfort they deserve.

There is always an on-site medical professional supervising every infusion. We offer infusions at the following locations:

Cherry Hill
Galloway
Cape May Court House
Toms River

Infusion therapy could be the answer to controlling your pain. You may benefit from infusion therapy if:

  • Your current medication doesn’t fully control your pain
  • You cannot tolerate oral medications
  • The drug you need causes gastrointestinal distress

In each of our Infusion Center locations, our clinical staff has years of experience administering infusion treatments. Each of our IV infusion clinics is designed with a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. We can also accommodate those that have to work during an infusion administration and require a more private space. Patients relax in reclining chairs, enjoy snacks and beverages, watch live TV, and appreciate many other amenities.

Prior to scheduling an infusion, our staff will walk you through your insurance benefits and even file insurance claims on your behalf. You will be registered for copay assistance, when applicable, and will be notified if there is an out-of-pocket cost (if any). Treatments supplied by SMC Infusion Centers are usually less expensive for both the patient and insurance company than the equivalent care offered at an outpatient hospital.

Before you start therapy, you will be given pre-infusion instructions. Remember to wear loose clothing so you will be comfortable. While receiving therapy, you can bring items to help you pass the time such as a book, magazine, laptop, or iPad.

There are several conditions that can be treated with infusion therapy:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Systemic Lupus
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Gout

Infusion therapies include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments:

REMICADE® (infliximab)
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

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)
This 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. 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)
This 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)
This is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (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.

SIMPONI ARIA® (golimumab)
This is used in combination with methotrexate for adults with moderate to severe
rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 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 everyday 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)
This is a prescription medication used to treat adults with active systemic lupus
erythematous (SLE or lupus), who are receiving other lupus medicines. BENLYSTA
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:

RECLAST® (Zoledronic acid)
This 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.

Gout Treatment: KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase)
This 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 buildup 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.