Actemra® 162 mg Pre-filled Syringe

Actemra® (tocilizumab) 162 mg/0.9 mL is a prescription-only, subcutaneous injection used to treat moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and various forms of juvenile arthritis (pJIA, sJIA). It is a monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) activity. It comes in a pre-filled syringe with a safety feature that covers the needle after use.

Key Details and Guidelines:

Administration: It is designed for self-injection, usually once every 2 weeks or weekly for adults, depending on the condition.
Injection Sites: The abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Storage: Keep in the refrigerator (2°C-8°C). Do not freeze. Allow to reach room temperature for about 30 minutes before injecting.
Key Risks: Serious allergic reactions, risk of severe infections, and potential liver enzyme changes.
Contraindications: Do not use if you have an active, severe infection.

Key Specifications & Indications

Formulation: 162 mg of tocilizumab in a 0.9 mL solution.
Delivery Method: Available as a manual pre-filled syringe with a safety needle or as an ACTPen® autoinjector.
Common Uses:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): For adults with moderate to severe active RA.
Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): For treating adults with GCA.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Both polyarticular (pJIA) and systemic (sJIA) forms in eligible children.

Usage & Dosage Guidelines
Dosage frequency is determined by a healthcare provider based on the condition being treated and the patient’s weight.

Adults (RA/GCA): Typically 162 mg injected once a week. For GCA, doctors may sometimes prescribe it every two weeks.
Paediatric Dosing:
pJIA: If weight is
30 kg, every 2 weeks; if < 30 kg, every 3 weeks.
sJIA: If weight is
30 kg, once a week; if < 30 kg, every 2 weeks.
Administration: Injections should be given on the same day each week at a consistent time.

Important Safety Information

Infections: Actemra can lower the body’s ability to fight infections; patients should be monitored for signs of illness.
Blood Monitoring: Doctors typically require regular blood tests to check liver enzymes, white blood cell counts, and platelets.
Allergic Reactions: Do not use if you have a known allergy to tocilizumab or any of its ingredients