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What is the Genentech Patient Foundation?
The Genentech Patient Foundation gives free medicine to people who have financial concerns, because we believe that every person who is prescribed a Genentech medicine should get the treatment they need. Help for People With or Without Health Insurance.
What is the cost of Actemra?
Actemra prices without insurance will vary by retailer. As a guide, a one-dose pack of Actemra, typically a month's supply, will cost around $350.
Is actemra weight based?
Dosage for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis For polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA), Actemra may be given as an IV infusion or a subcutaneous injection. For this condition, your Actemra dosage is based on your body weight in kilograms (kg).
Should I take Actemra?
FDA warning: Risk of serious infections Actemra may increase your risk of serious infections. In fact, people taking Actemra have developed fungal and viral infections. Some people have also had tuberculosis (TB) while taking Actemra. All of these infections can lead to hospitalization, or in rare cases, even death.
Does Medicare pay for ACTEMRA infusions?
Do Medicare prescription drug plans cover Actemra? No. In general, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) do not cover this drug.
What can I use instead of ACTEMRA?
Are Orencia and Actemra the Same Thing? Orencia (abatacept) and Actemra (tocilizumab) are used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Orencia is also used to treat arthritis in children who are at least 6 years old.
Is ACTEMRA a high risk medication?
Actemra has a boxed warning for risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. Some infections from Actemra may be serious enough to cause you to stay in the hospital. In rare cases, infections from Actemra can be fatal.
How do you feel after ACTEMRA infusion?
The most common Actemra (tocilizumab) side effects include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sinus infection, headache, high blood pressure and injection site reactions.
How long does ACTEMRA infusion take?
ACTEMRA is administered as a 60-minute single intravenous drip infusion. Doses exceeding 800 mg per infusion are not recommended. Reduction of dose from 8 mg/kg to 4 mg/kg is recommended for management of certain dose-related laboratory changes including elevated liver enzymes, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.
Can ACTEMRA cause memory loss?
In addition to the more serious Actemra symptoms, some of those taking the drug have claimed to have memory lapses, brain fog, mental sluggishness, small strokes, an increase in cholesterol levels, hair loss, tremors and the heart-rhythm disorder tachycardia after taking Actemra.
Does ACTEMRA cause hair loss?
People using Actemra in clinical studies didn't report hair loss. Other medications used to treat the same conditions that Actemra treats can cause hair loss as a side effect. For example, some biologics and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and can cause hair loss.
Does ACTEMRA cause fatigue?
Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking ACTEMRA if you develop new or worsening liver problems during treatment with ACTEMRA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling tired (fatigue) lack of appetite for several days or longer (anorexia)
Is there a generic for ACTEMRA?
The brand name for tocilizumab is Actemra. Tocilizumab is not available in generic form. You need to obtain a prescription for tocilizumab.
How quickly does ACTEMRA work?
ACTEMRA IV infusions, taken without methotrexate, started to work in as little as 2 weeks in some patients. Individual results may vary.
How often do you inject ACTEMRA?
ACTEMRA can be taken in different ways for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) symptoms. Intravenous (IV) infusion: This medicine is a liquid solution placed into a vein with a needle. It is given at a doctor's office or an infusion center every 4 weeks.
What are the side effects of ACTEMRA?
Common side effects of Actemra include:runny or stuffy nose,sinus pain,sore throat,headache,dizziness,itching,mild stomach cramps, or.urinary tract infection (UTI).
Coverage
Help understanding benefits and coverage, such as benefits investigations and prior authorization resources
Product Distribution
A list of authorized distributors and specialty pharmacies as well as information on our Spoilage Replacement Program
How to contact Genentech about Actemra?
Medicine Information Support. Ask about possible side effects and any other medical questions related to your prescribed Genentech medicine. Call us at (800) 821-8590, Monday-Friday, 5am-5pm PT. Chat with us using our live chat feature, Monday-Friday, 5am-5pm PT.
How to report side effects of Genentech?
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555. Please see full Prescribing Information and the Medication Guide, including Serious Side Effects, for more Important Safety Information.
What is the phone number for Genentech?
Genentech Patient Resource Center. Our center dedicated to getting patients and caregivers to the right resources. Call us at (877) 436-3683 or (877) GENENTECH, Monday-Friday, 6am-5pm PT. Genentech Access Solutions. This service offers coverage support, patient assistance, and other useful information.
Can ACTEMRA cause multiple sclerosis?
While rare, Multiple Sclerosis has been diagnosed in people who take ACTEMRA.
Does actuma increase cancer risk?
ACTEMRA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works .
Can you get actherma if your neutrophils are low?
Changes in Blood Test Results. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and after you start receiving ACTEMRA. You should not receive ACTEMRA if your neutrophil and platelet counts are too low or your liver function test levels are too high.
Can you take actherma with diverticulitis?
If you have diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), talk to your healthcare provider before taking ACTEMRA. Some people taking ACTEMRA may develop a hole in the wall of their stomach or intestines (also known as a perforation).
Who should not take ACTEMRA?
Do not take ACTEMRA if you are allergic to tocilizumab, or any of the ingredients in ACTEMRA.
How to report side effects of Genentech?
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.
How long after ACTEMRA can you check cholesterol?
Increase in blood cholesterol levels: your cholesterol levels should be checked 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving ACTEMRA.
Can you take actherma with diverticulitis?
If you have diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), talk to your healthcare provider before taking ACTEMRA. Some people taking ACTEMRA may develop a hole in the wall of their stomach or intestines (also known as a perforation). This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate.
Can you die from actherma?
Serious allergic reactions, including death, can happen with ACTEMRA. These reactions can happen with any infusion or injection of ACTEMRA, even if they did not occur with an earlier infusion or injection. Tell your healthcare provider before your next dose if you had hives, rash or flushing after your injection.
Can you get multiple sclerosis from actrea?
While rare, Multiple Sclerosis has been diagnosed in people who take ACTEM RA. It is not known what effect ACTEMRA may have on some nervous system disorders.
Does actuma increase cancer risk?
ACTEMRA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works .
What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving ACTEMRA?
ACTEMRA may not be right for you. Before receiving ACTEMRA, tell your healthcare provider if you:
What is ACTEMRA used for?
ACTEMRA is used: To treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well. To treat adults with giant cell arteritis (GCA)
How long after ACTEMRA can you check cholesterol?
Increase in blood cholesterol levels: your cholesterol levels should be checked 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving ACTEMRA.
How to report side effects of Genentech?
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555. Please see full Prescribing Information and the Medication Guide, including Serious Side Effects, for more Important Safety Information.
Does actema cause TB?
ACTEMRA changes the way your immune system works. This can make you more likely to get infections or make any current infection worse. Some people have serious infections while taking ACTEMRA, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with ACTEMRA.
How to contact Genentech patient support?
The Genentech Patient Resource Center can help answer questions and connect you to an appropriate Genentech patient support service. Call 1-800-ACTE MRA (1-800-228-3672) with questions or to get started. *If you have health insurance, you must have already tried other types of financial assistance.
Does Genentech have insurance?
Genentech has programs that can help based on your unique needs. If you: Need to understand your insurance coverage and costs related to ACTEMRA: ACTEMRA Access Solutions. Do not have insurance coverage or your insurance doesn't cover enough of the cost of your ACTEMRA: Genentech Patient Foundation.
What is ACTEMRA used for?
ACTEMRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to one or more Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). ACTEMRA is indicated for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adult patients.
Where to report side effects of Actemra?
You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.
How many ISRs are there in ACTEMRA SC?
During the 1-year study, a frequency of 28.8% (15/52) ISRs was observed in ACTEMRA-SC treated PJIA patients. These ISRs occurred in a greater proportion of patients at or above 30 kg (44.0%) compared with patients below 30 kg (14.8%). All ISRs were mild in severity and none of the ISRs required patient withdrawal from treatment or dose interruption.
How long does it take for ACTEMRA to show signs of liver damage?
Some of these cases have resulted in liver transplant or death. Time to onset for cases ranged from months to years after treatment initiation. Most cases presented with marked elevations of transaminases (> 5 times ULN), and some cases presented with signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction and only mildly elevated transaminases.
What are the most common adverse events in ACTEMRA IV?
The most common adverse events (at least 5%) seen in ACTEMRA-IV treated patients in the 12-week controlled portion of the study were: upper respiratory tract infections, headache, nasopharyngitis, and diarrhea.
What is the rate of infection in actrea IV?
The rate of infections in the ACTEMRA-IV all-exposure population was 163.7 per 100 patient-years. The most common events observed were nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections. The rate of serious infections was numerically higher in patients weighing less than 30 kg treated with 10 mg/kg ACTEMRA-IV (12.2 per 100 patient-years) compared to patients weighing at or above 30 kg, treated with 8 mg/kg ACTEMRA-IV (4.0 per 100 patient-years). The incidence of infections leading to dose interruptions was also numerically higher in patients weighing less than 30 kg treated with 10 mg/kg ACTEMRA-IV (21%) compared to patients weighing at or above 30 kg, treated with 8 mg/kg ACTEMRA-IV (8%).
How often do injection sites occur in SC II?
In the 6-month control period, in SC-I, the frequency of injection-site reactions was 10.1% (64/631) and 2.4% (15/631) for the weekly ACTEMRA-SC and placebo-SC (IV-arm) group, respectively. In SC-II, the frequency of injection-site reactions was 7.1% (31/437) and 4.1% (9/218) for the every other week ACTEMRA-SC and placebo-SC groups, respectively. These injection-site reactions were mild to moderate in severity. The majority resolved without any treatment and none necessitated drug discontinuation.
How many infections are there in ACTEMRA IV?
In the 12-week controlled phase, the rate of all infections in the ACTEMRA-IV group was 345 per 100 patient-years and 287 per 100 patient-years in the placebo group. In the open-label extension over an average duration of 73 weeks of treatment, the overall rate of infections was 304 per 100 patient-years.
What are the most common adverse events seen in ACTEMRA IV?
The most common adverse events seen in ACTEMRA-IV all-exposure population included: upper respiratory tract infections, headache, nasopharyngitis, and diarrhea.
How many ISRs are there in ACTEMRA SC?
During the 1-year study, a frequency of 28.8% (15/52) ISRs was observed in ACTEMRA-SC treated PJIA patients. These ISRs occurred in a greater proportion of patients at or above 30 kg (44.0%) compared with patients below 30 kg (14.8%). All ISRs were mild in severity and none of the ISRs required patient withdrawal from treatment or dose interruption.
How long does it take for ACTEMRA to show signs of liver damage?
Some of these cases have resulted in liver transplant or death. Time to onset for cases ranged from months to years after treatment initiation. Most cases presented with marked elevations of transaminases (> 5 times ULN), and some cases presented with signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction and only mildly elevated transaminases.
Is ACTEMRA recommended for elevated liver enzymes?
Elevated Liver Enzymes: It is not recommended to initiate ACTEMRA treatment in patients with elevated transaminases ALT or AST >1.5x ULN. In patients who develop elevated ALT or AST >5x ULN, treatment is not recommended.
Is actema contraindicated?
ACTEMRA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ACTEMRA.
Can acterma be restarted?
If the patient is found to have abnormal liver tests, ACTEMRA treatment should be interrupted. ACTEMRA should only be restarted in patients with another explanation for the liver test abnormalities after normalization of the liver tests.