Actemra PFP AI (Tocilizumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Actemra PFP AI Used For?
Actemra contains tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and binds to proteins in your body to treat inflammatory conditions.
Primary Uses
Actemra is used to treat active moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adults. It’s also used for active moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children over 2 years old and active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) in children and adolescents aged 1 year and over.
How It Works
Actemra works by binding and blocking interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), a protein that causes some signs and symptoms of these inflammatory conditions. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Actemra can also help prevent damage to your joints.
Good to know: Actemra is not addictive and is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Actemra PFP AI
Actemra is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) using a pre-filled pen. Your first injection will be supervised by a healthcare provider, and you may learn to self-inject at home.
Dosage Instructions
For adults with RA and GCA: 162 mg injected once weekly (or every 2 weeks for some GCA patients). For children 12+ with pJIA: 162 mg every 3 weeks if under 30 kg, every 2 weeks if 30 kg or more. For children 12+ with sJIA: 162 mg every 2 weeks if under 30 kg, weekly if 30 kg or more. The pre-filled pen should not be used for children under 12 years old. Children must weigh at least 10 kg to receive Actemra.
Important: Use Actemra on the same day each week. The pen is for single use only and must be discarded after use.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Injection site reactions
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, skin rash, itching, hives)
- Signs of infection with or without fever
- Signs of tears in stomach or intestines
- Liver disease, hepatitis, jaundice
- Signs of pancreatitis
Important Warnings
Actemra can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections and may worsen existing infections or increase your risk of new infections.
Who Should Not Take Actemra PFP AI
Do not use Actemra if you are allergic to tocilizumab, any ingredients, or other recombinant human or humanized antibodies or proteins of hamster origin. Do not use if you have an active, severe infection.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, diverticulitis, intestinal ulcers, low white blood cell or platelet counts, diabetes, cancer, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, nervous system conditions like multiple sclerosis, or if you’re planning vaccinations.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Actemra should not be used during pregnancy as it may harm your unborn baby. Women of childbearing age should use adequate contraception during treatment and for several months after. It’s not known if Actemra passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.
Infection Risk: Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection including fever, sweating, chills, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, weight loss, warm/red/painful skin, blood in phlegm, diarrhea, stomach pain, headaches, or burning during urination.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Actemra or Actemra may affect how other medicines work in your body.
Important: Do not use Actemra with other biological medicines for RA as this increases infection risk. Certain vaccines should not be given while using Actemra.
- Other biological medicines for RA (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, anakinra, abatacept, rituximab)
- Certain vaccines
- Warfarin (blood thinner)
- Cyclosporin (organ transplant medicine)
- Atorvastatin and simvastatin (cholesterol medicines)
- Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (blood pressure medicines)
- Theophylline (asthma medicine)
- Phenytoin (seizure medicine)
- Benzodiazepines like diazepam (anxiety medicines)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Actemra affects you.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Actemra affects you.
Storage
Store in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Keep the pre-filled pen in its carton to protect from light and keep dry. Once removed from the refrigerator, the pen can be stored up to 2 weeks (14 days) at or below 30°C.
Overdose Information
If you suspect an overdose or experience severe allergic reactions, tell your doctor immediately or go to accident and emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes for Actemra to work varies by individual and condition being treated. Your doctor will monitor your response through blood tests and adjust treatment as needed.
No, Actemra is not addictive.
After your first injection is supervised by a healthcare provider, your doctor may discuss whether it’s appropriate for you to self-inject at home. You or a caregiver would receive proper training on injection technique and recognizing allergic reactions.
Follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist. Use Actemra exactly as prescribed and maintain your regular injection schedule on the same day each week.
Certain types of vaccines should not be given while receiving Actemra as you may have an increased risk of infection. Discuss any planned vaccinations with your doctor.
If you cannot remove the green cap or start the injection, ask a caregiver for help or contact your healthcare provider. If the purple indicator doesn’t fill the window completely, you may not have received your full dose – contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
Remove the pen from the refrigerator and let it warm to room temperature for 45 minutes. Choose an injection site (front of thigh or abdomen, avoiding the 2-inch area around your navel), clean with alcohol, and follow the detailed injection instructions provided.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.