To the Editor:
We are writing in reference to the recent article published in the November 2020 issue of JPPT evaluating rapid infliximab infusions in the pediatric population.1 We feel there is an error in the authors' conclusion that “This study is the first of its kind to show rapid infliximab can be a well-tolerated alternative to standard 2- to 3-hour titrated infusion in both pediatric rheumatology and gastroenterology patients.” Three papers and 1 letter to the editor describing the safe use of rapid infusions of infliximab in pediatric gastroenterology and rheumatology patients were published in 2017 and 2018.2–5 This includes our prospective comparison of rapid infliximab in 66 patients receiving 545 infusions to a historical control group of 50 patients receiving 540 standard (2- to 3-hour) infusions. These 4 publications not cited by Munsel et al1 demonstrated similar results with very limited infusion reactions with rapid infliximab infusions. We do agree the results of this publication further support the growing body of literature indicating that rapid infusion of infliximab is a safe method of administration in pediatric patients and the decreased infusion time contributes to overall patient satisfaction.
Footnotes
Disclosure. The authors declare no conflicts or financial interest in any product or service mentioned in the manuscript, including grants, equipment, medications, employment, gifts, and honoraria.
Ethical Approval and Informed Consent. Given the nature of this letter, the project was exempt from institution review board/ethics committee review.
References
- 1.Munsel EJ, Bryan PJ, Bindstadt BA et al. Rapid infliximab infusion in the pediatric population. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2020;25(8):705–708. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-25.8.705. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Glover C, Phuong L, Hinds R. Rapid infliximab infusions are generally well-tolerated in children with inflammatory bowel disease. J Paediatr Child Health. 2017;53(1):94–95. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13384. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Lev-Tzion R, Assa A, Yerushalmi B et al. Rapid infliximab infusion in children: a multicenter retrospective cohort study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017;65:e101–e103. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001615. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.El-Matary W, Dykes DMH, Bauman L et al. Rapid infliximab infusion in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a multicenter North American experience. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017;23(12):2104–2108. doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000001259. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Rozette NA, Hellauer CM, McKee C et al. Evaluation of rapid vs standard infliximab infusions in the pediatric population. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(9):2007–2014. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izy093. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]