Caregiver Resources
Caring for a child with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is not always easy. But there are resources available to help. In addition to the information listed below, the child's doctor and the doctor's staff can be valuable resources when you need assistance. It's always a good idea to partner closely with them during a child's treatment.
Patient brochure
Find out important information about ACTEMRA, including the benefits and side effects, SJIA, financial support, and more. Download the brochure now:
Additional SJIA resources on the Web
Learn more about arthritis care and support on the Internet. Some sites to visit are included below.
Also, social media may be a good resource for finding additional information, support groups, forums and a sense of community.
www.AboutKidsHealth.ca
This Web site is a non-profit information source for children's health. The site includes a section on juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
American College of Rheumatology (ACR)www.Rheumatology.org
The Patients & Public section of ACR's Web site is a comprehensive source of research and patient education on rheumatic diseases. It also provides a helpful rheumatologist locator tool.
Arthritis Carewww.ArthritisCare.org.uk
Arthritis Care is the largest charity in the UK dedicated to arthritis. The organization's Web site offers a great deal of information on the disease, including an in-depth section geared for teenagers.
Arthritis Connectwww.ArthritisConnect.com
A social network for people living with arthritis, Arthritis Connect enables members to start conversations, meet others, share treatments, and much more.
Arthritis Foundation®www.Arthritis.org
This non-profit organization's Web site offers information on arthritis and related conditions, including an entire section dedicated to juvenile arthritis. You'll find support groups, a pain management center, healthy living articles and more.
Arthritis Todaywww.ArthritisToday.org
A publication of the Arthritis Foundation®, this lifestyle magazine hosts a Web site featuring a variety of tools and information on arthritis.
These Web sites are not under the control of or maintained by Genentech. Including them here does not constitute an endorsement by Genentech of those other Web sites, the content displayed therein, or the persons or entities associated therewith.
Additional support for families living with SJIA
Arthritis Support
There are many people who live active lives while dealing with the challenges of arthritis. Local and national
support groups can provide resources and guidance for you and your child.
Local support groups
There may be groups in your area that can provide information and support for you and your child. The Arthritis
Foundation lists many of these regional groups on its Web site, www.arthritis.org. Your child's doctor may also know
of local groups that can help.
Arthritis summer camps
Nearly every state offers its own camp designed for children with all types of arthritis. Children get to
know others with similar problems while enjoying fun activities with trained staff. These camps are one way for children to learn that they're not
alone in dealing with arthritis while being young. Many of these camps also conduct educational and social events for parents as well. The Arthritis
Foundation Web site, www.arthritis.org, has links to many local camps.
Financial support
Get information on programs that help you get access to ACTEMRA.
This information does not take the place of talking to your child's healthcare provider about either your child's medical condition or your child's treatment with ACTEMRA. Talk with your child's healthcare provider if you have any questions about your child's treatment with ACTEMRA.
What is ACTEMRA?
ACTEMRA is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor. ACTEMRA is used to treat patients with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) 2 years of age and older.
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 SJIA include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, and diarrhea.
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 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.
For additional important safety information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, please visit ACTEMRA.com or call (800) ACTEMRA (800-228-3672).
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