Actemra 162mg Injection
Actemra 162mg Injection is a medicine used to treat various inflammatory conditions of the joints (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), skin (psoriasis), and bowel (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease). It reduces swelling in these conditions by blocking TNF alpha.
Actemra 162mg Injection
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Actemra 162mg Injection is a medicine used to treat various inflammatory conditions of the joints (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), skin (psoriasis), and bowel (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease). It reduces swelling in these conditions by blocking TNF alpha.
Actemra 162mg Injection is a medicine used to treat various inflammatory conditions of the joints (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), skin (psoriasis), and bowel (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease). It reduces swelling in these conditions by blocking TNF alpha.
Actemra 162mg Injection is given by a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. You should use it regularly and at the same time each day to get the maximum benefit from it. Continue using it as recommended by your doctor and complete the dose even if you feel better.
The most common side effects seen with this medicine include headache, high blood pressure, upper respiratory tract infection, increased liver enzymes, and nasopharyngitis (pain or irritation in the throat). Consult your doctor if any of the side effects persist or bother you. Your doctor may be able to help with ways to reduce or prevent these symptoms. You may also be more prone to infections when you are being treated with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any symptoms of an infection like fever, cough, rash, loose stools, or flu-like symptoms.
To make sure the medicine is safe for you, before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any problems with your heart, kidneys, or liver. You should also tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking. While on treatment with this medicine, your doctor may monitor your blood counts by taking regular blood tests to make sure the medicine is not affecting your blood counts. It is important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to ask the advice of their doctors before taking this medicine.
03Uses
Treatment of Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Treatment of Psoriasis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Actemra 162mg Injection blocks the action of certain chemical messengers that are responsible for inflammation, swelling and redness associated with certain joint diseases.
06What If You Miss A Dose?
Q: What if you forget to take Actemra Injection?
A: If you miss a dose of Actemra 162mg Injection, please consult your doctor.n
07Benefits
In Treatment of Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes redness and swelling in the large intestine and the rectum (lower part of large intestine). This can cause bleeding, frequent passing of stool and stomach pain. Actemra 162mg Injection reduces the pain and swelling and gives you relief from these symptoms. It reduces the discomfort and helps you live your life normally. Actemra 162mg Injection if taken as prescribed can prevent the return of ulcerative colitis flare (return or worsening of your symptoms). Drink plenty of fluids while taking it to make sure you stay hydrated.
08Side Effects
Headache
High blood pressure
Upper respiratory tract infection
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
09Safety Information
Alcohol:SAFE
Consuming alcohol with Actemra 162mg Injection does not cause any harmful side effects.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Actemra 162mg Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Actemra 162mg Injection is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Driving:UNSAFE
Actemra 162mg Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney:CAUTION
Actemra 162mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Actemra 162mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Limited information is available on the use of Actemra 162mg Injection in patients with moderate to severe kidney disease. No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild kidney disease.
Liver:CAUTION
Actemra 162mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Actemra 162mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Actemra 162mg Injection is not recommended in patients with active liver disease.
10Drug Tips
Actemra 162mg Injection is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) or as an injection directly into a vein.
You may be asked for regular blood tests to check blood counts, cholesterol level and liver functioning during the treatment.
It might make you feel dizzy. If this happens, avoid driving or operating on machinery.
It makes it hard to fight with an infection. Inform your doctor if you notice fever, cough or stomach pain.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Do not stop taking medicine without talking to your doctor first.
References
Sources and references
Tocilizumab. South San Francisco, California: Genentech, Inc. [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from: View
