Supporting Your Child
Tips for helping your child with SJIA
There are many things to consider when raising a child with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). Your child's doctor and his or her staff can answer your questions. Here are some tips to consider while your child is being treated for SJIA.
Healthy Diet:
It's important that your child continues to eat a healthy diet no matter what treatment for
SJIA he or she is on.
Exercise:
Encourage your child to exercise and participate in gym class and school sports as much as possible.
Walking, riding a bike and swimming are considered good physical activities for children with forms of arthritis. Always talk to your doctor about exercises that are safe and beneficial for your child.
Physical and occupational therapy:
Physical and occupational therapy can make it easier for your child to move
swollen joints and maintain a good range of motion. Always talk to your doctor about therapy that is safe and beneficial for your child.
Joint stiffness:
This is common after waking up in the morning or from a nap. Taking a warm shower or bath,
wearing warmer clothing or using a hot compress can relieve stiffness. Some children do better with a cold compress, so experiment with different
treatments to see which works best.
Medications:
Monitor your child's medications in addition to ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) and make sure that all
are being taken at the right times and in the right amounts as prescribed. Keep a list of your child's current medications with you for doctor visits,
or if you need to go to the hospital for any reason.
Routines:
Normal routines and habits should be maintained as much as possible to help keep the physical and emotional
effects of SJIA to a minimum.
Rest:
Ensure your child gets plenty of rest to keep from getting overtired.
School:
Stress the importance of going to school, even when your child feels morning stiffness or pain.
Communication with doctors:
Discuss your concerns with your child's doctor and other healthcare partners.
They are there to answer your questions in addition to treating your child for SJIA.
Activities
When your child isn't feeling well, get creative with activities. Creative activities like drawing, writing
and painting can be less stressful on the joints and also provide ways for your child to express how he or she feels.
Friends
You can also create opportunities for your child to hang out with friends if he or she isn't feeling well.
Throw a sleepover or host a movie night, so your child's friends can come over. Staying in touch with friends is an important way to show your child
that the illness needn't keep him or her from having a social life.
Caregiver resources
Get information to help you raise a child with SJIA.
See Important Side Effect Information
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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