Actemra

Drug Name:

Tocilizumab 80mg, 200mg, 400mg Injection (Atlizumab)

Category:

International Brand: Actemra/RoActemra

Actemra/RoActemra

Details

Purpose

Tocilizumab 80mg,200mg,400mg injection(atlizumab) is used for the treatment of

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Giant cell arteritis in adults.

The medication has an international brand name of RoActemra and an Indian brand name of Actemra .

 

How does it work?

Actemra  injection is called an interleukin-6 (IL-6)  receptor antagonist. This interferes with the agents of rheumatoid arthritis and hence controls the disease. RoActemra injection consists of light and heavy chains which have 214 and 448 amino acids. Actemra  injection has a molecular weight of 148kda.

 

Measures and precautions

  1. tocilizumab 80mg, 200mg, 400mg injection(atlizumab) falls under the category of a prescription drug which should be taken with doctor’s advice only.
  2. Actemra injection comes in two forms: intravenous and subcutaneous. Each has its characteristics of infusion in the body.
  3. Tocilizumab 80mg,200mg,400mg injection(atlizumab) is mainly prescribed for the treatment of patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid cases.
  4. The medication is also useful in the treatment of giant cell arteritis in adult patient groups.
  5. It is highly recommended to take the injection under strict medical supervision.
  6. Tocilizumab 80mg, 200mg,400mg injection(atlizumab) has a recommended dose which should be prescribed by the doctor. The patient is given the injection in a single drip in 60min which is to be increased gradually.
  7. The increase in 8mg drip should be followed every 4 weeks of the injection infusion.
  8. The doses are based on the medical conditions of the patients. If any patient is not fit for the infusion. Then he or she should not get infused by this.
  9. The first injection infusion should be done with a single drip of 4mg only.
  10. The reduction in doses is recommended to maintain certain dose-related laboratory changes in the patient’s body.
  11. The injection doses exceeding 800mg per infusion are not good for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  12. Avoid the use of live vaccines when the patient is on the course of taking this injection. Get interaction is fatal for the patients.

 

Side -effects

  • Tiredness
  • Dark-coloured urine
  • Vomiting
  • Chills
  • Disturbed bowel movements
  • Skin rashes
  • No appetite
  • Fever
  • Muscle pains
  • Stomach discomforts
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath

 

Interactions

Some interaction reactions are seen with liver enzymes like thrombocytopenia ad neutropenia. These enzymes are elevated type liver enzymes that interact with the composition of injection. However, in giant cell arteritis patients, no concomitant reactions are observed.