Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe 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 Prefilled Syringe 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.

Treatment of Ulcerative colitis

Crohn’s disease

Treatment of Psoriasis

Ankylosing spondylitis

Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

Your doctor or nurse will use this device to give medicine. You or your care giver may be taught on how to use this device at home.

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe blocks the action of certain chemical messengers that are responsible for inflammation, swelling and redness associated with certain joint diseases.

Q: What if you forget to take Actemra Prefilled Syringe?
A: If you miss a dose of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe, please consult your doctor.n

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe 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.

Q. Who should be treated with Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe?

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe should be given for treating patients suffering from moderate to severe Covid-19 infection who have persistent reduction in their oxygen levels (a condition called hypoxia) that continues to get worse. The hypoxia may continue to get worsened even after 24 to 48 hours of treatment with corticosteroids and supportive care.

Q. Is Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe recommended for all Covid-19 patients? If not, why?

No, Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe is not recommended for all Covid-19 patients. This is because Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe has its own potential health hazards. Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe can lead to persistent serious infection and prolonged multiplication and shedding of the virus causing infection, so, it must be given only if the benefits outweigh the risks involved.

Q. What are the side effects of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe?

The potential side effects of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe include anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction) with infusion, transaminitis (very high levels of liver enzymes due to which they start moving into the bloodstream), leukopenia (a condition where a person has reduced white blood cells and hence increased risk for infections) and neutropenia (a condition where a person has abnormally low number of cells called neutrophils, that fight infections in our body). Some other side effects are risk of serious bacterial infections, viral infections and reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) virus.

Q. Who should not be given Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe?

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe should not be given to patients who have or ever had abnormal levels of liver enzymes (transaminitis), platelet counts (<50000), or if they have TB, or any active bacterial or viral infection. The use of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers too, owing to its risk of developing serious complications.

Q. What to do if there is no improvement seen after giving Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe too?

Your doctor will decide the next course of action if there is no improvement seen even after giving Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe. Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe will prevent inflammation of the lungs but will not cure the damage already done due to the existing disease. Recovery of the lungs takes time to improve. Persistent breathlessness after Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe administration requires further evaluation of patients for other lung-related issues (pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy) or heart-related problems (cardiac dysfunctions). Any other bacterial infections that might have occurred should also be treated separately.

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 Prefilled Syringe 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 Prefilled Syringe 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.

Headache

High blood pressure

Upper respiratory tract infection

Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Alcohol:SAFE

Consuming alcohol with Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe 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 Prefilled Syringe 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 Prefilled Syringe may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney:CAUTION

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Limited information is available on the use of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe in patients with moderate to severe kidney disease. No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild kidney disease.

Liver:CAUTION

Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Actemra 162mg Prefilled Syringe is not recommended in patients with active liver disease.

Tocilizumab. South San Francisco, California: Genentech, Inc. [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from: View