The tocilizumab 200 mg is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. Uses of this drugs are given as follows:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Tocilizumab is used to treat adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who haven't had an adequate response to one or more DMARDs.
Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): Tocilizumab is used to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adult patients.
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (PJIA): Tocilizumab is used for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients aged 2 years and older.
Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA): Tocilizumab is used to treat active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients aged 2 years and older.
Cytokine Release Syndrome: Tocilizumab is used to treat chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-induced severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome in adults/pediatric patients aged 2 years and older.
Dosage Form: Tocilizumab comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Actemra. The standard tocilizumab dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis, PJIA, SJIA, or CRS should be administered Into a vein (IV or intravenous infusion). If your doctor prescribes Tocilizumab as an intravenous infusion, you will receive it from a healthcare professional through a needle placed in a vein in the arm. The infusion of tocilizumab will take about 60 minute to give you the full dose. For RA/PJIA you will receive a dose of Tocilizumab about every four weeks. For SJIA you will receive a dose of Tocilizumab about every 14 days. For CRS you will receive a single Tocilizumab dose, and if required additional doses. While taking Tocilizumab, patients may continue to use other drugs that help treat RA, PJIA, or SJIA such as methotrexate, NSAIDs and prescription steroids, as instructed by a doctor.
The recommended dose of Tocilizumab for RA or Giant Cell Arteritis should be administered under the skin (SC or subcutaneous injection).
Side Effects: Side effects of tocilizumab injection are usually mild and not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects are common cold, sinus infections, headache, increased blood pressure and injection site reactions.
Cost: The tocilizumab price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler or pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. To know the cost of tocilizumab, kindly get in touch with Ikris Pharma Network.