Key facts about Tocilizumab
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.
