What to Expect from Your ACTEMRA Treatment
Now that you and your rheumatologist have made the decision to start ACTEMRA, you may be wondering what you can expect from therapy. This is an understandable concern, since deciding on ACTEMRA means you've already tried other ways of treating your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that simply didn't work well enough.
ACTEMRA is an immunotherapy for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active RA who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies.
How soon can I expect to feel better?
Approval of ACTEMRA was based on the results of 5 clinical trials in which more than 4000 people participated.
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In a 6-month study of patients taking ACTEMRA at the 8 mg/kg dose in combination with methotrexate, half of patients experienced statistically significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA (also called an ACR20 response). In fact, some patients saw improvements after just 2 treatments
- 30% of patients taking ACTEMRA at the 4 mg/kg dose in combination with methotrexate saw statistically significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA at 6 months
- In these trials, some people taking ACTEMRA experienced improvement in their signs and symptoms of RA as early as 2 to 4 weeks after beginning therapy
- These improvements included a decrease in pain and in the number of tender or swollen joints
Important Side Effect Information
Before taking ACTEMRA, tell your healthcare provider if you have had diverticulitis(inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Some people taking ACTEMRA get tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever and stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
Can I expect to get long-term relief from ACTEMRA?
Keeping your appointments for blood tests helps your medical team monitor your RA. These blood tests should be done before you start receiving ACTEMRA and every 4 to 8 weeks during treatment to check for side effects. Missing appointments for these tests could place your health at risk. You should also keep your doctor informed of any infections you encounter while taking ACTEMRA.
Regular appointments help you and your doctor monitor your RA
Keeping your appointments for blood tests helps your medical team monitor your RA. These blood tests should be done before you start receiving ACTEMRA and every 4 to 8 weeks during treatment to check for side effects. Missing appointments for these tests could place your health at risk, since ACTEMRA can lower your body's ability to fight infections.
Be prepared, get organized
When it comes to your ACTEMRA infusion, a little advance preparation can help you learn more about RA and ease your mind about any uncertainties regarding the infusion process. Here are some things you can do between visits:
- Write down your questions; it may help to keep a running list of questions — or even an RA diary — that you can add to as you think of new questions or if you experience symptoms
- Record any changes in your general health or medications that you are taking, procedures you receive and the date you received them
- Notify your healthcare team if there is a change in your medical condition, a change in your address or telephone number or if you have a medical emergency
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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