Understanding ACTEMRA Dosing
ACTEMRA is available in 2 doses, 4 milligrams per kilogram (4 mg/kg) and 8 milligrams per kilogram
(8 mg/kg). If prescribed ACTEMRA, your starting dose will be 4 mg/kg.
When you receive your infusion of ACTEMRA, your doctor will watch closely to see how your body responds.
Your nurse or doctor will monitor your signs and symptoms and assess your blood
test results. You can help your doctor
address your needs by speaking up about how you're feeling before, during and after the infusion.
Some people saw improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA at 6 months of treatment with ACTEMRA, while others saw improvements within 2-4 weeks. Other patients may take longer to respond. Over time, if you feel like ACTEMRA is
not providing enough relief, you can talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose.
When is the right time to adjust your dose?
There is no set time before adjusting to a higher dose. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together, based on your individual response to ACTEMRA. So be sure to keep your doctor informed about how you're feeling and if you notice changes in signs and symptoms. Get helpful tips and tools for talking to your rheumatologist.
In some cases, there may also be a need to reduce the dose of ACTEMRA, usually in response to lab test results. A dose reduction from 8 mg/kg to 4 mg/kg is recommended for control of certain dose-related laboratory changes including low neutrophil count, low platelet count or an increase in certain liver function tests.
Important Side Effect Information
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. Some people have died from these infections.
Before every infusion, please read the ACTEMRA Medication Guide and discuss it with your doctor, because there may be new information. The Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment.
See Important Side Effect Information
This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about either your medical condition or your treatment with ACTEMRA. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your treatment with ACTEMRA.
What is ACTEMRA?
ACTEMRA is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor Inhibitor. ACTEMRA is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) antagonist has been used and did not work well
IMPORTANT SIDE EFFECT INFORMATION
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. Some people have died from these infections.
Other serious side effects of ACTEMRA include tears (perforation) of the stomach and intestines, changes in blood test results (including low neutrophil count, low platelet count, increase in certain liver function tests and increase in blood cholesterol levels), hepatitis B infection becoming an active infection again and nervous system problems.
ACTEMRA affects the immune system and may increase your risk of certain cancers.
Serious allergic reactions, including death, can happen with ACTEMRA. These reactions may happen with any infusion of ACTEMRA, even if they did not occur with an earlier infusion. Patients must tell their doctor if they have had a previous reaction to ACTEMRA. Patients should not take ACTEMRA if they are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.
Common side effects with ACTEMRA in patients with RA include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache and increased blood pressure (hypertension).
Patients must tell their healthcare provider if they plan to become pregnant or are
pregnant. It is not known if ACTEMRA will harm an unborn baby. Genentech has a registry
for pregnant women who take ACTEMRA. Patients who are pregnant or become pregnant while
taking ACTEMRA must contact the registry at 1-877- 311-8972 or
register online
at https://www.otispregnancy.org/
forms/otis_survey-f161
and talk to their healthcare provider.
Patients must call their healthcare provider for medical advice about any side effects. Patients or caregivers may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Patients or caregivers may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, for additional important safety information.
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