Actemra PFS (Tocilizumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Actemra PFS Used For?
Actemra PFS contains tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and blocks certain proteins in your body to reduce inflammation and joint damage.
Primary Uses
Actemra PFS 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 to and blocking interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), a protein that causes inflammation and symptoms in these 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 PFS
Actemra PFS is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) using a pre-filled syringe. 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 with pJIA: If under 30 kg – 162 mg every 3 weeks; if 30 kg or more – 162 mg every 2 weeks. For children with sJIA: If under 30 kg – 162 mg every 2 weeks; if 30 kg or more – 162 mg weekly. Children must weigh at least 10 kg to receive this medication.
What If You Miss a Dose?
For weekly dosing: If you remember within 7 days, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the scheduled day. For fortnightly or every three weeks: If you remember within 7 days, inject as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If more than 7 days have passed, contact your doctor for advice.
Important: Never give yourself two injections to make up for a missed dose. Each syringe is for single use only.
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
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Headache
- High blood pressure
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Serious 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 cause serious side effects. It’s important to discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Actemra PFS
Do not use Actemra if you are allergic to tocilizumab, any ingredients in the medication, or other recombinant human or humanised antibodies. 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’ve recently had or plan to have 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 while using this medication.
Infection Risk: Actemra increases your risk of serious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection such as fever, sweating, chills, fatigue, cough, or other symptoms.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interact with Actemra or require dose adjustments. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Do not use Actemra with other biological medicines for rheumatoid arthritis as this increases infection risk.
- Other biological medicines for RA (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, anakinra, abatacept, rituximab)
- Vaccines (certain types should not be given)
- Warfarin (blood thinner)
- Cyclosporin (immunosuppressant)
- Atorvastatin and simvastatin (cholesterol medications)
- Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (blood pressure medications)
- Theophylline (asthma medication)
- Phenytoin (seizure medication)
- Benzodiazepines like diazepam (anxiety medications)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how Actemra affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Actemra affects you, as the medication may cause dizziness or other effects that could impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Store Actemra PFS in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Keep the pre-filled syringe in its carton to protect from light and keep dry. Once removed from the refrigerator, it can be stored for up to 2 weeks (14 days) at or below 30°C.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has had too much Actemra, seek urgent medical care immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration of treatment depends on how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will monitor your progress and discuss treatment duration with you.
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 will be instructed on proper injection technique.
For weekly dosing: If you remember within 7 days, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on schedule. For other dosing schedules: If you remember within 7 days, inject as soon as possible. If more than 7 days have passed, contact your doctor.
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.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop an infection or symptoms of infection, as Actemra can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections and may make existing infections worse.
Actemra should not be used during pregnancy as it may harm your unborn baby. Women of childbearing potential should use adequate contraception during and for several months after treatment.
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.