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Product Description
ACTEMRA INJECTION contains Tocilizumab which belongs to the group of medicines called interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitors. It is used to treat adults with moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, giant cell arteritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cytokine release syndrome.
It is also used in children aged 2 years and above to treat active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (inflammatory disease that causes pain and swelling in one or more joints).
However, the uses of the medicine mentioned are not exhaustive; there may be other reasons or situations in which the medicine might be used.
It is an immunosuppressive medicine, works by blocking the action of inflammatory protein interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor in the body that are responsible for causing inflammation (redness, swelling and pain) and other associated complications.
Inform the doctor If you have or have ever had Tuberculosis or any other infection; lung or breathing problems; Lipid abnormalities, liver problems; diverticulitis, ulcers in your stomach or intestines; a nerve-muscle disease such as multiple sclerosis; diabetes; HIV, or a weak immune system; hepatitis B (or if you are a carrier of the virus); cancer; or if you have received or are scheduled to receive any vaccines.
Inform the doctor about all your medical conditions, prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamin supplements, herbal medications, since Actemra can interact with them. Actemra can cause an allergic reaction in some patients therefore it is necessary to read the complete composition list and consult the doctor in case of any ingredient that induces allergies.
Consult the doctor if you are planning, on a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
It is advisable to avoid driving and operating heavy machinery during the course of Actemra.
Indications of ACTEMRA Injection
Actemra injection is used for the treatment of mild to moderate rheumatic arthritis (an immune disorders characterized by swelling, pain and stiffness of joints), giant cell arteritis (a condition where blood vessels particularly in the head and scalp rea, become swollen), Crohn’s disease (inflammatory disease of intestine), ulcerative colitis (lining of intestine and rectum becomes red and swollen), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (swollen and painful joints in children), hidradenitis suppurativa (pimple like bumps in the arm pits, groin, anal area in adults and children above 2 years of age), psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis affecting spine or larger joints), cytokine release syndrome (a severe and life threatening reaction that usually develops after receiving immunotherapy medications via infusion).
Therapeutic Effects of ACTEMRA Injection
It is an immunosuppressive medicine, works by blocking the action of inflammatory protein interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor in the body that are responsible for causing inflammation (redness, swelling and pain) and other associated complications.
Directions for Use
Actemra can be administered either as an injection under the skin or as an intravenous infusion. The injection can be taken with or without food. Avoid eating oily rich or spicy food. The dosage and duration of treatment will depend on the individual’s condition and response to the medication and should be determined by the doctor.
A trained healthcare doctor/Nurse will administer Actemra. So, do not self-administer.
Storage
Actemra Injection should be stored in refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze.
If you are traveling, carefully follow all patient instructions for storing your medicine during travel. Avoid extreme heat or cold.
Keep in the original container to protect from light and moisture.
Keep Actemra Injection out of sight and reach of children.
Common:
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Swelling of your nose and throat
- Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea
- Fever
- Allergic reactions include rash and itching, hives
- Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling)
- Eye infection (conjunctivitis)
- Mouth ulceration
- Fluid buildup in the lower legs, increase in weight
Serious:
- Severe or persistent diarrhea or constipation, stomach cramps
- Unusual bleeding - nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood.
- Allergic and anaphylactic (more severe allergic) reactions with symptoms that may include swelling of your face and throat, with difficulty in breathing.
- Inflammation (brain, heart muscle, kidney, muscle, lung, liver, intestine, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland)
- Symptoms may include kidney problem, liver problems, heart problems, shortness of breath; and nervous system disorders.
- Eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
- You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, chills, aches, tiredness, cough, shortness of breath, skin sores, diarrhea, weight loss, or burning when you urinate.
- Actemra may also cause a perforation (a hole or tear) in your stomach or intestines. Tell your doctor if you have a fever and stomach pain with a change in your bowel habits.
Tell a doctor or nurse straight away, if you notice any of the side effects above.
Safety Advices for ACTEMRA Injection
Consult Your Doctor
It is not known whether Actemra Injection interacts with alcohol. However, it is best to avoid alcohol or limit your alcohol consumption while taking any medication. Consult your doctor if you have history of Alcohol intake.
Unsafe
Actemra Injection is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Actemra Injection.
Consult Your Doctor
It is not known whether Actemra passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medication.
Unsafe
Actemra may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting in some patients. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machines that require mental concentration until you are not alert.
Consult Your Doctor
If you have any lung-related symptoms, consult your doctor before taking Actemra, as this medication should be used with caution in such conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Consult Your Doctor
If you have a pre-existing or a history of liver problems, consult your doctor before taking this medicine. Actemra should be used cautiously in liver disease patients. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Consult Your Doctor
If you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor. Actemra should be used cautiously in patients with mild to moderate kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Consult Your Doctor
ACTEMRA should be used with caution in patients with risk of heart disease (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol level). Consult your doctor before receiving ACTEMRA.
FAQs
Ans – Actemra is an intravenous infusion used in the treatment of Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Liver Cancer, Skin Cancer, Bladder Cancer.
Ans - Yes, Actemra can cause a small amount of weight gain in some cases.
Yes, Actemra Tocilizumab )was approved by:-Food and Drugs Administration FDA.
Ans - Avoid drinking alcohol during the treatment with Actemra even though no interactions of both are known.
Ans - It is advisable to avoid driving and operating heavy machinery as Actemra causes dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting in some patients.
Ans-This injection can be taken with or without food. If significant stomach upset occurs, it could be taken with food.
Ans-The elderly are more likely to develop infections than the general population, so it is important to be cautious and consult your doctor before taking the medicine.
- 1. Roche Products Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). Tocilizumab [Revised in January 2022] [Accessed on 22nd June 2022]
- 2.Tocilizumab Injection. DailyMed: National Library of Medicine: National Institute of Health. [Revised in June 2022] [Accessed on 22nd June 2022]
- 3. Actemra IV Injection (Tocilizumab). Ciplamed. [Revised in February 2021] [Accessed on 22nd June 2022] https://ciplamed.com/content/actemra-iv-injection
- 4. Tocilizumab. South San Francisco, California: Genentech, Inc. [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019] (online)
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