{"product_id":"actemra-tocilizumab","title":"ACTEMRA (Tocilizumab)","description":"\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat is this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACTEMRA (Tocilizumab)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAntirheumatic, Disease Modifying;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterleukin-6 Receptor Antagonist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eACTEMRA (Tocilizumab) is indicated for treatment of cytokine release syndrome, giant cell arteritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat are the ingredients in this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACTEMRA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMedicinal ingredient:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTocilizumab\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNon-medicinal ingredients:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDisodium phosphate dodecahydrate, polysorbate 80, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sucrose, and water for injection. Preservative-free.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow does this medication work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eACTEMRA (Tocilizumab) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eacts as an antagonist of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor. Endogenous IL-6 is induced by inflammatory stimuli and mediates a variety of immunological responses. Inhibition of IL-6 receptors by Tocilizumab will reduce cytokine and acute phase reactions leading to an overall decrease in inflammation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow should I take this medication? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSQ:\u003c\/em\u003e Inject 162mg subcutaneously once every week.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIV:\u003c\/em\u003e When used in combination with DMARDs or as monotherapy, the recommended starting dose is 4 mg\/kg intravenous infusion every 4 weeks followed by an increase to 8 mg\/kg intravenous infusion every 4 weeks based on clinical response. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Take:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow diluted solution for infusion to reach room temperature prior to administration; infuse over 60 minutes using a dedicated IV line. Do not infuse other agents through the same IV line. Do not administer IV push or IV bolus. If additional doses are necessary for the management of cytokine-release syndrome, the interval between doses should be at least 8 hours. Do not use if opaque particles or discoloration is visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat should I watch for while using this medication? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore starting make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take, you can experience changes in hematological values (i.e. thrombocytopenia, neutropenia); hepatic impairment, hyperlipidemia and even perforation of the bowel has been reported. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat is the difference between a prefilled syringe and an autoinjector?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBoth an auto-injector device and prefilled syringe are comparable with respect to ease of use, tolerability, and efficacy.  However the addition of an autoinjector to deliver a prefilled syringe can enhance patient safety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat if I miss a dose?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you miss an appointment to receive your ACTEMRA (Tocilizumab) infusion, call your doctor or the clinic, hospital, or infusion center right away to reschedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you forget to give yourself an injection, talk with your doctor. They can describe what you should do next based on your typical dosing schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow should I store this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntravenous:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eStore vials in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. Do not freeze. Keep the vial in the outer carton to protect it from light. Do not use beyond expiration date written on the vial + carton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor prepared infusion solution:\u003c\/em\u003e ACTEMRA (Tocilizumab) does not contain preservatives, therefore reconstitution and dilution of the product should be performed under aseptic conditions. The prepared infusion solution of Tocilizumab is physically and chemically stable in 0.9% w\/v sodium chloride solution at 2-8ºC or 30ºC for 24 hours. The prepared infusion should be used immediately. \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eU\u003c\/span\u003enused product remaining in the vials should not be used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubcutaneous:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eACTEMRA (Tocilizumab) should not be used after the expiry date shown on the prefilled-syringe (PFS) or autoinjector and the outer pack. Store the PFS or autoinjector in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2-8°C. Do not freeze, Protect from light, and moisture. Once removed from the refrigerator, Tocilizumab solution for injection must be administered within 8 hours and should not be kept above 30°C. For the autoinjector, allow to sit at room temperate outside the box for 45 minutes before use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat are the possible side effects of using this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eUpper respiratory tract infections, nasopharyngitis, headache, hypertension, increased ALT, injection site reactions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNote this is not a complete list of side effects for ACTEMRA (Tocilizumab), only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ecommon ones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOFFMAN-LA ROCHE","offers":[{"title":"162mg\/0.9ml - 4 Autoinjectors - Canada","offer_id":47130335248702,"sku":null,"price":3150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"162mg\/0.9ml - 4 Prefilled Syringes - Canada","offer_id":47130335281470,"sku":null,"price":3150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"80mg\/4ml - 1 Vial - Canada","offer_id":47130335314238,"sku":null,"price":399.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mg\/10ml - 1 Vial - Canada","offer_id":47130335347006,"sku":null,"price":945.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mg\/20ml - 1 Vial - Canada","offer_id":47130335412542,"sku":null,"price":1960.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0711\/0321\/7982\/products\/Actemraautoinjector.jpg?v=1695114859","url":"https:\/\/www.advochealth.com\/products\/actemra-tocilizumab","provider":"AdvocHealth","version":"1.0","type":"link"}