Get to Know ACTEMRA for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
ACTEMRA is the first prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat GCA. When first prescribed, ACTEMRA is taken with a steroid taper. A steroid taper is when a healthcare professional reduces an existing steroid dose over time. It’s important to keep in mind that ACTEMRA is not a steroid. It’s a biologic. A biologic is a type of medicine developed using processes that are similar to what happens in your body naturally. Biologics can be used to interact with certain parts of your body, like your immune system. They can also fight inflammation in certain diseases, like GCA.
Biologics may cause serious side effects. Please scroll down for Important Side Effect Information for ACTEMRA. For additional safety information, please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
How is ACTEMRA different from steroids?
ACTEMRA is designed to work differently than steroids. Steroids play an important role at the beginning of GCA treatment. They work by quickly decreasing inflammation and slowing down the immune system.
Unlike steroids, ACTEMRA was designed to block a key source of inflammation within the immune system. That key source of inflammation is called interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Ask Your Doctor About ACTEMRA
ACTEMRA has been prescribed for ~1,600,000 patients around the world.*
*This number includes patients taking ACTEMRA for all FDA-approved uses.
ACTEMRA Patient Support Line
Have questions about ACTEMRA?
Call 1-800-228-3672 to talk with a team member about ACTEMRA.
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A biologic is a type of medicine developed using processes that are similar to what happens in your body naturally. Biologics can be used to interact with certain parts of your body, like your immune system. They can also fight inflammation in certain diseases, like GCA.
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An inflammation of the blood vessels. The cause is often unknown.
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When a part of the body becomes swollen and painful.
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A flare is a sudden worsening of your disease. It can happen after you haven’t experienced symptoms for a long time. It’s also known as a relapse.
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A chemical messenger that tells the immune system to attack harmful bacteria and viruses. When your body produces too much IL-6, it causes the immune system to attack healthy cells.
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A decrease or disappearance in signs and symptoms.
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Under the skin.
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A sample of cells taken from the body in order to examine them more closely. A healthcare professional will recommend a biopsy when a test suggests an area of tissue in the body isn’t normal.
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A genetic predisposition means that a person may be more likely to develop a disease based on their genes. However, they may not see any symptoms unless something in the environment triggers the disease.
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Steroids, including cortisone and prednisone, are a type of medicine used temporarily to reduce inflammation.
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Biologics, a type of DMARD, are a class of arthritis treatments designed to target your immune system.
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The immune system is a complex network of organs and cells that protects the body from foreign substances such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.