How Is GCA Treated?
GCA can cause serious complications, which is why it’s important to treat it right away. When GCA is diagnosed and treated early, you’re more likely to see better results.
Steroids (glucocorticoids)
Treatment for GCA usually starts with high doses of steroids to immediately control inflammation. If the inflammation becomes less serious, the steroid dose can be lowered. While steroids are useful for treating GCA, long-term use can result in a high total dose of steroids. This high total dose may cause serious side effects. An example of a steroid you may have heard of is called prednisone.
Biologics
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.
ACTEMRA is an example of a biologic. The goal of ACTEMRA is to help control your GCA while allowing your healthcare professional to gradually get you off steroids. Ask your healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of treating your GCA with ACTEMRA.
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.
Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate
Your healthcare team wants you to ask questions. Sometimes, it helps to write a list. Download a short guide to help start a conversation with your healthcare professional.
The Experience of ACTEMRA
ACTEMRA has been studied in over 20 clinical trials for several conditions in the past 10+ years. See the results for the GCA clinical trials.
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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.