Elective Switching from Infliximab to Adalimumab for Crohn Disease Is Not Advisable

Patients who receive intravenous infusions of infliximab for Crohn disease are sometimes switched to adalimumab if they experience adverse effects or loss of efficacy. Other patients elect to switch for the convenience of home-administered subcutaneous injection of adalimumab. Do patients on stable maintenance therapy with infliximab do as well if they are electively switched to adalimumab?

To find out, researchers in Belgium conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label trial involving 73 adults with Crohn disease and ongoing response to maintenance infliximab (5 mg/kg at 6- to 8-week intervals for ≥6 months). Patients either continued infliximab or switched to adalimumab (80 mg initially and then 40 mg every other week).

During the 1-year…