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Written By Divya L , PharmaD
Reviewed By Sureshvarma D , MPharma
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Composition :

TOCILIZUMAB-80MG

Consume Type :

PARENTERAL

Return Policy :

Not Returnable

Expires on or after :

About Actemra 80 mg Injection

Actemra 80 mg Injection belongs to the class of 'immunosuppressants', primarily used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and giant cell arteritis (inflammation of the lining of your arteries) in adults. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children, such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and cause joint pain with inflammation. Actemra 80 mg Injection is currently being trialled to treat breathing complications in COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-19) patients. 

Actemra 80 mg Injection consists of 'Tocilizumab' that belongs to the class of 'interleukin inhibitors.' It works by blocking the Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a substance released by the body that causes inflammation. Lately, Actemra 80 mg Injection is also being used in COVID-19 infection to reduce the severity of inflammation and damage in the lungs. It is thought to decrease the cytokine storm, an excessive immune response that occurs in the lungs of a COVID-19 infected person.

Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on the medical condition. Common side effects of Actemra 80 mg Injection include runny nose, sinus pain, sore throat, increased blood pressure, pain and swelling at the injection site, and headache. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.

Before starting Actemra 80 mg Injection, inform your doctor if you have any liver, heart or kidney diseases, stomach and intestinal ulcers, multiple sclerosis (nerve and muscle disease), diabetes, weak immune system (HIV), hepatitis B, cancer, and active infections. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Actemra 80 mg Injection. Actemra 80 mg Injection may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert and focused. Actemra 80 mg Injection should not be given to children under two years of age as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Actemra 80 mg Injection as it could lead to increased dizziness and risk of liver damage. 

Uses of Actemra 80 mg Injection

Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, and giant cell arteritis.

Directions for Use

Actemra 80 mg Injection will be administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer.

Medicinal Benefits

Actemra 80 mg Injection treats pain, redness, and inflammation (swelling) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and giant cell arteritis. It contains 'Tocilizumab,' an 'interleukin inhibitor.' It works by blocking the Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a substance released by the body that causes inflammation. Lately, Actemra 80 mg Injection is also being used in COVID-19 infection to reduce breathing complications, the severity of inflammation, and damage in the lungs. It is used to decrease the cytokine storm, an excessive immune response that occurs in the lungs of a COVID-19 infected person. 

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight
Side effects of Actemra 80 mg Injection
  • To improve liver health and aid in the removal of toxins, drink lots of water.
  • Alcohol consumption should be reduced or stopped because it can raise ALT levels and impair liver function.
  • Consume a well-rounded diet full of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Limit items that strain the liver, such as processed, fatty, or fried foods.
  • You can monitor your ALT levels and make treatment modifications with the support of routine blood tests.
  • Consume more fruits, vegetables, and cruciferous foods like cabbage, kale, and broccoli.
  • Reduced alcohol intake can enhance liver enzyme function.
  • Oxidative stress can be managed by eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.
  • Liver function tests regularly can help manage increased levels of AST.
  • Eat more plant based foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
  • Reduce intake of foods containing high fat such as dairy, oil and red meat.
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
  • Aim for weight loss and maintain healthy weight.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Control blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of infections.
  • Wear masks, gloves and other protective clothing.
  • Cover sneezes and coughs with a medical mask or tissue or your elbow.
  • Take vaccinations to enhance your immunity to specific diseases.
  • Clean your utensils, linen and surfaces regularly.
  • Eat more plant based foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
  • Reduce intake of foods containing high fat such as dairy, oil and red meat.
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
  • Aim for weight loss and maintain healthy weight.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Control blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • Consult your doctor immediately to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, since serious infections often require rapid medical attention to avoid complications.
  • Follow prescribed antibiotics or antiviral treatment as directed to target the specific infection and prevent resistance or relapse.
  • Rest properly to help your body fight the infection and recover more quickly.
  • Practice proper hygiene by routinely washing your hands and taking precautions to prevent infection transmission.
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C and zinc, to support your immune system during recovery.
  • Inform your doctor if symptoms like fever, pain, or difficulty breathing worsen or don't improve.
Here are the steps to manage the medication-triggered Common Cold:
  • Inform your doctor about the common cold symptoms you're experiencing due to medication.
  • Your doctor may adjust your treatment plan, which could include changing your medication, adding new medications, or offering advice on managing your symptoms.
  • Practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with others, and avoiding sharing utensils or personal items.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, such as warm water or soup, to help thin out mucus.
  • Get plenty of rest and engage in stress-reducing activities to help your body recover. If your symptoms don't subside or worsen, consult your doctor for further guidance.

Drug Warnings

Inform your doctor if you have any liver, heart or kidney diseases, stomach and intestinal ulcers (diverticulitis), multiple sclerosis (nerve and muscle disease), low blood cell count, diabetes, weak immune system (HIV), hepatitis B, cancer, and active infections before starting Actemra 80 mg Injection. Avoid close contact with people who have infections like chickenpox, measles, tuberculosis, and flu that can be easily spread. Thoroughly wash your hands to prevent the spread of infection. Do not take live vaccines while being treated with Actemra 80 mg Injection to prevent any serious consequences. Actemra 80 mg Injection may cause dizziness and drowsiness, so drive only if you are alert and focused. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Actemra 80 mg Injection as it could lead to increased dizziness and risk of stomach bleeding/ulcers. Actemra 80 mg Injection is not recommended in children younger than two years of age as safety and efficacy is not established. Store Actemra 80 mg Injection at temperatures of 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze the vial.

Drug-Drug Interactions

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Drug-Drug Interactions

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How does the drug interact with Actemra 80 mg Injection:
Combining Actemra 80 mg Injection with Clozapine can increase the risk of infection.

How to manage the interaction:
Although taking Actemra 80 mg Injection and Clozapine together can evidently cause an interaction, it can be taken if your doctor has suggested it. Your doctor can recommend other options that won't cause problems when taken together. However, consult the doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath, blood in phlegm, weight loss, red or inflamed skin, body sores, and pain or burning during urination. Do not discontinue any medications without first consulting your doctor.
How does the drug interact with Actemra 80 mg Injection:
Coadministration of Actemra 80 mg Injection with Baricitinib can increase the risk of developing serious infections.

How to manage the interaction:
Co-administration of Actemra 80 mg Injection with Baricitinib can result in an interaction, but it can be taken if your doctor has advised it. However, consult a doctor if you experience fever, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle pains, breathing difficulty, blood in your coughing fluid, weight loss, red or irritated skin, body sores, and discomfort or burning when you urinate. Do not stop using any medications without a doctor's advice.

Drug-Food Interactions

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No Drug - Food interactions found in our database. Some may be unknown. Consult your doctor for what to avoid during medication.

Drug-Food Interactions

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Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching that is less likely to spasm, tear and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
  • Massages can also be helpful.
  • Avoid freezing and hot temperatures.
  • Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes; instead, wear loose garments.
  • Rest well and get plenty of sleep.
  • To avoid developing pressure sores, change your position at least every two hours.
  • Hot or cold therapy can help treat muscle spasms. Apply an ice-pack or hot-pack on the muscle for 15-20minutes.
  • Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water.

Habit Forming

No

Therapeutic Class

IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS

Author Details

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Drug-Diseases Interactions

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No Drug - Disease interactions found in our database. Some may be unknown. Consult your doctor for what to avoid during medication.

Drug-Diseases Interactions

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FAQs

Actemra 80 mg Injection contains Tocilizumab, an immunosuppressant. It blocks the action of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a substance released by the body that causes inflammation. Thus, it helps in decreasing pain and inflammation in various diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and giant cell arteritis.

When a person is infected with the coronavirus, his/her immune system responds in such a way that it sends useful immune chemicals to the affected areas of the lungs to fight the infection. However, in some people, this release of immune chemicals is overactive, resulting in a cytokine storm, an excessive immune response in the lungs. This can further lead to severe breathing complications in an infected person. Actemra 80 mg Injection reduces this cytokine storm and further prevents the inflammation and damage in the lungs of a COVID-19 infected person.

Though Tocilizumab in Actemra 80 mg Injection is under the clinical trial stage of development by FDA for being used in COVID-19 infection, it is currently used to treat breathing complications for COVID-19 patients. It is known to show improvement in pneumonia during coronavirus infection.

Actemra 80 mg Injection is not recommended for every person infected with the coronavirus. Actemra 80 mg Injection has potential hazards and is only prescribed by doctors in patients with severe breathing difficulties and who have highly dropping saturation levels (blood oxygen level (SpO2)).

Actemra 80 mg Injection is to be carefully administered with caution in patients under doctor's supervision only since it can cause potential side effects like elevated liver enzymes, neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils), and thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets). It can also cause serious viral infections like hepatitis B, bacterial infections including active tuberculosis, and fungal infections including candidiasis, aspergillosis, and pneumocystis.

Actemra 80 mg Injection affects your immune system and makes you more susceptible to infections. Hence, it is not recommended in people with active infections like tuberculosis, hepatitis B, abnormal liver enzymes, and platelet counts less than 50,000. Actemra 80 mg Injection can also increase the risk of developing cancers; hence it is essential to mention your doctor if you had a history of any cancer.

Even if there is no improvement after administering Actemra 80 mg Injection, your doctor may suggest an alternate course. Please note that Actemra 80 mg Injection does not reverse the damage caused due to coronavirus infection, but it will further prevent the inflammation of the lungs. It is also advised to medically examine for other lung and heart related dysfunctions even the patient suffers breathlessness after Actemra 80 mg Injection administration.

It is not recommended to get live vaccines like measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine while being treated with Actemra 80 mg Injection. This could lead to a severe infection. Please consult a doctor before you start Actemra 80 mg Injection if you are undergoing any vaccinations.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • INFLIXIMAB
  • ADALIMUMAB
  • ABATACEPT
  • ETANERCEPT
  • WARFARIN
  • ATORVASTATIN
  • LOVASTATIN
  • SIMVASTATIN
  • OMEPRAZOLE
  • DEXTROMETHORPHAN
  • CERTOLIZUMAB
  • GOLIMUMAB
  • ANAKINRA

Special Advise

  • It is advised to closely monitor the patient for infections like active tuberculosis during and after the treatment though the patient gets a negative tuberculin test.
  • It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any active viral, bacterial, and fungal infections before starting Actemra 80 mg Injection.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an autoimmune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue), leading to joint pain and damage. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities, and loss of joint function. 

Ankylosing spondylitis: It causes pain and stiffness in the spine. The pain usually starts in the lower back and can spread to the neck, damaged joints, or other body parts. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include decreased flexibility, which usually leads to a hunched-forward posture, and pain in the back and joints. 

COVID-19: It is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). It mainly affects the respiratory system and is spread through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. Common symptoms include fever, dry cough, tiredness, body aches, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, and conjunctivitis. With the severity of the disease, symptoms like dropping oxygen saturation levels, shortness of breath, chest pain, high fever, and severe weakness are also noticed. The coronavirus can further lead to complications like pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart problems, liver problems, septic shock, and death.

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