tocilizumab
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
NowPatient can significantly lower the cost* of your prescription medication by providing free access to drug coupons, savings cards, patient assistance programs and other out of pocket discount programs. Whether you’re insured, uninsured, or underinsured, we empower you with transparency and cost-saving tools to make your tocilizumab more affordable.
Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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tocilizumab key facts
What dosages is tocilizumab available in?
tocilizumab is available in the following:
- Intravenous Infusion: 80 mg/4 mL (20 mg/mL), 200 mg/10 mL (20 mg/mL), 400 mg/20 mL (20 mg/mL) in single-dose vials for further dilution prior to
intravenous infusion - Subcutaneous Injection: 162 mg/0.9 mL in a single-dose prefilled syringe or single-dose prefilled ACTPen autoinjector
What is tocilizumab used for?
tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist used to treat:
- Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adults (tocilizumab brand only)
- Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in adults (tocilizumab brand only)
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) in people ages 2 years and older
- Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in people ages 2 years and older
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in people ages 2 years and older (tocilizumab brand only)
- COVID-19 infection in hospitalized adults who are receiving corticosteroids and require oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (tocilizumab brand only)
How does tocilizumab work?
tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. It blocks a chemical released by your immune system called IL-6 that causes inflammation and fever.
How do I take tocilizumab?
tocilizumab is given as an infusion through the veins (intravenous or IV) over 1 hour or may also be given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous or SC). Your provider will decide your dose based on how well the medication is working for you, your body weight, if it’s being given as an IV or SC injection, and if it’s causing side effects.
Is it safe for me to take tocilizumab?
tocilizumab is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
tocilizumab Common Side Effects
Common side effects of tocilizumab:
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Higher liver enzymes
tocilizumab Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with tocilizumab. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infections: fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
- Worsening liver problems or liver failure: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion, dark or brown urine
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on tocilizumab
- The following medications may interact with tocilizumab:
- Exercise caution when coadministering tocilizumab with CYP3A4 substrate drugs where decrease in effectiveness is undesirable, e.g., oral contraceptives, lovastatin, atorvastatin, etc. The effect of tocilizumab on CYP450 enzyme activity may persist for several weeks after stopping therapy
- Avoid use of live vaccines concurrently with tocilizumab.
Who makes tocilizumab?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is tocilizumab safe in pregnancy?
tocilizumab may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with tocilizumab. Genentech has a registry for pregnant women who take tocilizumab. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking tocilizumab, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can join this pregnancy registry or you may contact the registry at 1-877-311-8972 to enroll.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my tocilizumab prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your tocilizumab prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient tocilizumab savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient tocilizumab savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for tocilizumab | Canadian Prescription Savings* for tocilizumab | tocilizumab Drug Coupon* | tocilizumab Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of tocilizumab?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for tocilizumab | Canadian Prescription Savings* for tocilizumab | tocilizumab Drug Coupon* | tocilizumab Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the tocilizumab savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the tocilizumab drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for tocilizumab, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the tocilizumab prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, tocilizumab is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed tocilizumab for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the tocilizumab prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the tocilizumab prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for tocilizumab
If you are having trouble paying for your tocilizumab medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for tocilizumab you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- tocilizumab is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers tocilizumab
- If tocilizumab is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for tocilizumab
If you are having trouble paying for your tocilizumab medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for tocilizumab you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers tocilizumab
- If tocilizumab is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for tocilizumab
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your tocilizumab treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for tocilizumab you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for tocilizumab
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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