Taking ACTEMRA
ACTEMRA can be taken alone
or in combination with methotrexate.
This means that if you are unable to take methotrexate, you can still treat your RA with ACTEMRA.
Allergic reactions
Serious allergic reactions, including death, can happen with ACTEMRA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs of a serious allergic reaction:
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- skin rash
- swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
- chest pain
- feeling dizzy or faint
A once-monthly infusion
The video below provides information you need to know before your infusion and an inside look at the steps you may take during your appointment.
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What to expect from your ACTEMRA treatment
- ACTEMRA is given by intravenous (IV) infusion, once every 4 weeks. During an IV infusion, liquid medicine is given by a needle directly into a vein. At your infusion, you will sit in a comfortable chair, or lie down on a cot or bed
- Since the infusion of ACTEMRA takes about 1 hour, you may want to bring something to read or music to listen to
- ACTEMRA is given once every 4 weeks for 1 hour. The dosing of ACTEMRA is based on your weight
You should not start taking ACTEMRA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider says it is okay.
Before starting ACTEMRA
Before starting Actemra, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:
- fever, sweating, or chills
- muscle aches
- cough
- shortness of breath
- blood in phlegm
- weight loss
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal
- feel very tired
- are being treated for an infection
- get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back
- have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance for infections
- have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB
- live or have lived, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis, or blastomycosis). These infections may happen or become more severe if you use ACTEMRA. Ask your healthcare provider, if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common
- have or have had hepatitis B
Before your first infusion
Before starting treatment with ACTEMRA, your healthcare provider will sit down with you and review the ACTEMRA Medication Guide and explain the ACTEMRA treatment with you in detail, including possible side effects.
You will also have some blood tests taken. These tests will allow your doctor to see how ACTEMRA is affecting your body. Your doctor will look at:
- Liver function
- Neutrophil count
- Platelet count
- Lipid levels
Moving forward, you will need to have your blood tested every 4 to 8 weeks to make sure there are no side effects to the treatment. You should not receive ACTEMRA if some results are too low or too high. Your healthcare provider may stop your ACTEMRA treatment for a period of time or change the dose of your medicine if needed because of changes in these blood test results.
When you arrive at your infusion
Your first infusion appointment is a great opportunity to spend one-on-one time with your healthcare provider. Use this time to ask any questions you still have about RA, the infusion process or ACTEMRA.
Because your dose of ACTEMRA is based on your weight, a nurse will weigh you before you receive each treatment. This is to make sure you will be receiving the right dose of ACTEMRA.
During your infusion
Here are a few helpful tips to get you ready for your infusion:
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Try to arrive early to fill out any paperwork
- Bring your insurance card, especially if your insurance changes between visits
- During an infusion, you will sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on a cot or bed
- You may want to bring something to read or music to listen to
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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