OVERVIEW

Actemra

Actemra is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist.

Actemra is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well; To treat adults with giant cell arteritis (GCA); For slowing the rate of decline in lung function in adults with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) (also known as scleroderma-associated ILD).

Actemra Info

Actemra can be administered by subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion. Intravenous infusions are given over 60 minutes every 4 weeks.

The recommended dosage of ACTEMRA for adult patients given as a 60-minute single intravenous drip infusion is 4 mg per kg every 4 weeks followed by an increase to 8 mg per kg every 4 weeks based on clinical response.

Intravenous

60

Minutes

Every

4

Weeks

Actemra Side Effects

The most common side effects of Actemra include:

  • Upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections)
  • Headache
  • Increased blood pressure.

Actemra changes the way your immune system works. This can make you more likely to get infections or make any current infection worse. Some people have serious infections while taking Actemra, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body.

If you have or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus may become active while you use Actemra. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before you start treatment with Actemra and while you are using Actemra.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Patient Assistance Programs

There are several programs patients can sign up for that will assist in treatment costs:

Resources

To learn more about Actemra, browse the resources below.

Order Form

To download the order form for Actemra, click below.

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