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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Actemra?
3. How Does Actemra Work?
4. Do I Need a Prescription for Actemra?
5. What is Actemra Used to Treat?
6. What are the Common Side Effects of Actemra?
7. What Should I Not Take With Actemra?

Introduction
Actemra is a prescription medication used to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and giant cell arteritis. It is a monoclonal antibody, which means it works by targeting and blocking a specific protein in the body. This protein is responsible for inflammation, which is a common symptom of many of the conditions Actemra is used to treat. In this article, we will discuss what Actemra is, how it works, if a prescription is needed, what it is used to treat, common side effects, and what should not be taken with Actemra.

What is Actemra?
Actemra is a prescription medication used to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and giant cell arteritis. It is a monoclonal antibody, which means it works by targeting and blocking a specific protein in the body. This protein is responsible for inflammation, which is a common symptom of many of the conditions Actemra is used to treat. Actemra is given as an injection and is available in both a prefilled syringe and a vial.

How Does Actemra Work?
Actemra works by targeting and blocking a specific protein in the body called interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 is a protein that is responsible for inflammation, which is a common symptom of many of the conditions Actemra is used to treat. By blocking IL-6, Actemra reduces inflammation and helps to reduce the symptoms associated with these conditions.

Do I Need a Prescription for Actemra?
Yes, Actemra is a prescription medication and must be prescribed by a doctor. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking Actemra.

What is Actemra Used to Treat?
Actemra is used to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and giant cell arteritis. It is also used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children.

What are the Common Side Effects of Actemra?
The most common side effects of Actemra include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and injection site reactions. Other side effects may include increased risk of infection, increased risk of certain types of cancer, and allergic reactions. It is important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you may experience while taking Actemra.

What Should I Not Take With Actemra?
It is important to talk to your doctor about any medications, supplements, or vitamins you are taking before starting Actemra. Certain medications, supplements, and vitamins may interact with Actemra and should not be taken together. It is also important to avoid alcohol while taking Actemra.

Indications for Actemra

Actemra (tocilizumab) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat several immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), giant cell arteritis (GCA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), and adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). Actemra is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active RA in adults who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). It is also used to treat adults with GCA, PJIA, SJIA, and AOSD.

Actemra works by blocking the action of a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is involved in the body’s inflammatory response. By blocking IL-6, Actemra reduces inflammation and pain associated with RA and other inflammatory conditions. Actemra is administered as an intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection. The dosage and administration of Actemra is based on the patient’s condition, weight, and response to treatment.

Dosage and Administration Recommendations

The recommended dosage of Actemra for adults with RA is 8 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 1 hour every 4 weeks. For adults with GCA, PJIA, SJIA, and AOSD, the recommended dosage is 8 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 1 hour every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, then every 8 weeks thereafter. For subcutaneous administration, the recommended dosage for adults with RA is 162 mg administered every week. For adults with GCA, PJIA, SJIA, and AOSD, the recommended dosage is 162 mg administered every other week.

Common Drug Interactions

Actemra may interact with other medications, including certain antibiotics, antifungals, and immunosuppressants. It is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is also important to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have, as some medications may interact with Actemra.

Warnings

Actemra can cause serious side effects, including serious infections, increased risk of cancer, and increased risk of serious allergic reactions. Before taking Actemra, tell your doctor if you have any type of infection, have had cancer, or have ever had an allergic reaction to Actemra or any other medication.

Clinical Pharmacology

Actemra works by blocking the action of IL-6, a protein involved in the body’s inflammatory response. By blocking IL-6, Actemra reduces inflammation and pain associated with RA and other inflammatory conditions. Actemra is a monoclonal antibody, which means it is a type of protein that binds to a specific target in the body.

Medication Guide

It is important to read and understand the medication guide that comes with Actemra before taking it. The medication guide contains information about the risks and benefits of taking Actemra, how to take it, and what to do if you experience side effects. It is important to follow the instructions in the guide and talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Conclusion

Actemra (tocilizumab) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat several immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and adult-onset Still’s disease. It works by blocking the action of IL-6, a protein involved in the body’s inflammatory response. Actemra is administered as an intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection, and the dosage and administration of Actemra is based on the patient’s condition, weight, and response to treatment. It is important to read and understand the medication guide that comes with Actemra before taking it and to talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Sources:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Actemra (tocilizumab) injection, for intravenous or subcutaneous use. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/761075s000lbl.pdf

2. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020). Actemra. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605036.html