what is Actemra by AI

 Actemra (generic name: tocilizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets and blocks the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, an important component in the body's immune and inflammatory response. By inhibiting IL-6 signaling, Actemra helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and damage to tissues—particularly useful in autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.

Actemra is approved for several inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. In adults, it is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when other medications such as methotrexate have failed. It is also approved for treating giant cell arteritis (GCA), a condition that causes inflammation of large blood vessels, often in the head and neck. In children aged 2 and older, Actemra is used for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). Additionally, it is approved for managing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially life-threatening immune overreaction seen in patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Actemra was also granted emergency use authorization in many countries for treating hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19, especially those on corticosteroids and supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

The medication can be administered either as an intravenous (IV) infusion or as a subcutaneous injection, depending on the condition being treated and the patient's needs. IV infusions are typically given in a healthcare setting, especially for acute issues like CRS, while subcutaneous injections may be self-administered at home for long-term conditions like RA or juvenile arthritis.

Common side effects include headaches, elevated blood pressure, upper respiratory tract infections, and injection site reactions. More serious risks include increased susceptibility to infections such as tuberculosis or fungal infections, elevated liver enzymes, and rare gastrointestinal perforations. For this reason, patients are screened for infections like tuberculosis before starting therapy, and regular blood tests are required to monitor liver function, blood counts, and cholesterol levels.

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