Actemra (tocilizumab)

• Rheumatoid arthritis: adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (a disease where the immune system attacks the joints) when one or more DMARDs (disease-modifying arthritis medicines) did not work well enough.
• Giant cell arteritis: adults with giant cell arteritis (swelling of blood vessels, often in the head).
• Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: adults with lung scarring (interstitial lung disease) caused by systemic sclerosis (a disease that hardens skin and organs); Actemra shots only, not Tyenne and not IV.
• Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: children 2 years and older with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (childhood arthritis in many joints).
• Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: children 2 years and older with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (childhood arthritis with fever and rash).
• Cytokine release syndrome: adults and children 2 years and older with severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome (a strong immune reaction) caused by CAR T-cell cancer treatment; IV only.
• COVID-19: adults and children 2 years and older in the hospital with COVID-19 who are getting steroid medicine and need oxygen, a breathing machine or ECMO (a machine that adds oxygen to the blood); IV only.

A prescription is required. Your prescriber decides whether Actemra is right for you.

IV infusion, given by a healthcare professional. When your prescriber agrees it can be given at home, we send a skilled nurse from an accredited nursing agency to give it.

Injection under the skin, given by you or a caregiver, after training. A nurse can show you or a caregiver how to give it.

Storage: Keep prefilled syringes and autoinjectors in the refrigerator in the original carton to protect them from light, keep them dry, and do not freeze them. Once out of the refrigerator, Actemra and Tyenne syringes and autoinjectors can be kept at or below 86°F for up to 2 weeks.

Before the first dose, your prescriber may ask for:

• a test for tuberculosis (TB), except for people being treated for COVID-19
• a blood test to count your blood cells (complete blood count)
• a blood test to check your liver
• a check that your vaccines are up to date

Important safety information: This medicine has a boxed warning about the risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB).

Read the Medication Guide and the full Actemra prescribing information, and ask your prescriber or our pharmacists about side effects. Our pharmacists are on call 24 hours a day.

Health plans often require prior authorization for Actemra. Our intake team checks your coverage and works with your prescriber’s office on the paperwork before your first delivery.

The manufacturer runs a support program, Actemra Co-pay Program and Genentech Patient Foundation, that may help eligible patients with costs and access.

Offices can call (844) 671-2600 or fax a referral to (844) 671-2601. Use the Rheumatology Referral Form (PDF).

The manufacturer also publishes Actemra practice forms, including the Genentech prescriber service form.