Can Remicade cause excessive weight gain?

[CrohnsKidMom]

My son started Remicade in July, and at the time was in the 70th percentile for both his height and weight for his age. His body is responding well to the med. ESR and hemoglobin are normal, tough level is 8.8 (which I think might actually be a bit high), and no antibodies. My concern is his rather sudden weight gain. He gained 5 lbs between his Aug and Oct infusions, and another 5 lbs at his infusion yesterday. His height has increased minimally. He is now in the 90th percentile for weight, but still the 70th for height. He just turned 11 yrs old, and signs of puberty started about 6 months ago, so I'm hoping a growth spurt may be in the near future. His diet is healthy, and activity level is average for a boy his age. The GI and nurse are not concerned, but I am a little. Could the actual Remicade be causing him to gain weight?

 

[my little penguin]

Remicade doesn't cause weight gain
But being an 11 year old most certainly does
Mine is 12 and I have an older one so second time around
They gain close to 10 lbs easily then grow like puppies
Short bones first ( hands and feet ) watch for shoe size changes
Then long bones -legs and arms

Remicade didn't cause it pre puberty did
Congrats you almost have a teenager who can roll eyes and "know" everything faster than you can blink

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Thank you, MLP. I am relieved-and scared to death...

 

[Maya142]

He also may be absorbing more calories since his gut is healing...Remicade can cause weight gain in that sense. It's a good thing and I'm sure he'll shoot up soon and it'll even out.

 

[Jmrogers4]

This was our experience with remicade the first 5-6 months weight gain was huge. I think first because they are able to absorb more. Second based on other kids this is fairly normal for that age, large weight gain to store up energy to allow for tremendous height growth. Happened with both my sons they would gain weight and then shoot up in height, although for Jack it came much later and not until we got the disease under control. We've had about 5" of growth in 6 months that first year, almost nothing the first 6 months after starting remicade and then he just took off.
It has been nearly 10" in the last year and a half (Jan. 9th is 2nd anniversary on remicade).
Hopefully remicade will allow for normal growth pattern for him and my younger son saw a ton of growth between 11-12 and 13-14. As MLP says "Welcome to puberty" and the eye rolls and of course they KNOW everything.