ACTEMRA
RxNorm 1441527· TOCILIZUMAB· INTRAVENOUS, SUBCUTANEOUS
Interleukin-6 Receptor Antagonist [EPC] · Genentech, Inc.
Boxed Warning
WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with ACTEMRA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. If a serious infection develops, interrupt ACTEMRA until the infection is controlled. Reported infections include: Active tuberculosis, which may present with pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease. Patients, except those with COVID-19, should be tested for latent tuberculosis before ACTEMRA use and during therapy. Treatment for latent infection should be initiated prior to ACTEMRA use. Invasive fungal infections, including candidiasis, aspergillosis, and pneumocystis. Patients with invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease. Bacterial, viral and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens. The risks and benefits of treatment with ACTEMRA should be carefully considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection. Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with ACTEMRA, including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Serious infections leading to hospitalization or death including tuberculosis (TB), bacterial, invasive fungal, viral, and other opportunistic infections have occurred in patients receiving ACTEMRA. ( 5.1 ) If a serious infection develops, interrupt ACTEMRA until the infection is controlled. ( 5.1 ) Perform test for latent TB (except patients with COVID-19); if positive, start treatment for TB prior to starting ACTEMRA. …
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist indicated for treatment of: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) ( 1.1 ) Adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) ( 1.2 ) Adult patients with giant cell arteritis. Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD) ( 1.3 ) Slowing the rate of decline in pulmonary function in adult patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (PJIA) ( 1.4 ) Patients 2 years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) ( 1.5 ) Patients 2 years of age and older with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) ( 1.6 ) Adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-induced severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) ( 1.7 ) Hospitalized adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). 1.1 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). 1.2 Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is indicated for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adult patients. 1.3 Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD) ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is indicated for slowing the rate of decline in pulmonary function in adult patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. 1.4 Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (PJIA) ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older. 1.5 Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is indicated for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older. 1.6 Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) is indicated for the treatment of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-induced severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. 1.7 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) is indicated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For RA, pJIA and sJIA, ACTEMRA may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate: and in RA, other non-biologic DMARDs may be used. ( 2 ) General Administration and Dosing Information ( 2.1 ) RA, GCA, SSc-ILD, PJIA and SJIA – It is recommended that ACTEMRA not be initiated in patients with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below 2000 per mm 3 , platelet count below 100,000 per mm 3 , or ALT or AST above 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) ( 5.3 , 5.4 ) . COVID-19 – It is recommended that ACTEMRA not be initiated in patients with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below 1000 per mm 3 , platelet count below 50,000 mm 3 , or ALT or AST above 10 times ULN ( 5.3 , 5.4 ) . In RA, CRS or COVID-19 patients, ACTEMRA doses exceeding 800 mg per infusion are not recommended. ( 2.2 , 2.7 , 12.3 ) In GCA patients, ACTEMRA doses exceeding 600 mg per infusion are not recommended. ( 2.3 , 12.3 ) Rheumatoid Arthritis ( 2.2 ) Recommended Adult Intravenous Dosage: When used in combination with non-biologic DMARDs or as monotherapy the recommended starting dose is 4 mg per kg every 4 weeks followed by an increase to 8 mg per kg every 4 weeks based on clinical response. Recommended Adult Subcutaneous Dosage: Patients less than 100 kg weight 162 mg administered subcutaneously every other week, followed by an increase to every week based on clinical response Patients at or above 100 kg weight 162 mg administered subcutaneously every week Giant Cell Arteritis ( 2.3 ) Recommended Adult Intravenous Dosage: The recommended dose is 6 mg per kg every 4 weeks in combination with a tapering course of glucocorticoids. ACTEMRA can be used alone following discontinuation of glucocorticoids. Recommended Adult Subcutaneous Dosage: The recommended dose is 162 mg given once every week as a subcutaneous injection, in combination with a tapering course of glucocorticoids. A dose of 162 mg given once every other week as a subcutaneous injection, in combination with a tapering course of glucocorticoids, may be prescribed based on clinical considerations. ACTEMRA can be used alone following discontinuation of glucocorticoids. Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD) ( 2.4 ) Recommended Adult Subcutaneous Dosage: The recommended dose of ACTEMRA for adult patients with SSc-ILD is 162 mg given once every week as a subcutaneous injection. Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ( 2.5 ) Recommended Intravenous PJIA Dosage Every 4 Weeks Patients less than 30 kg weight 10 mg per kg Patients at or above 30 kg weight 8 mg per kg Recommended Subcutaneous PJIA Dosage Patients less than 30 kg weight 162 mg once every three weeks Patients at or above 30 kg weight 162 mg once every two weeks Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ( 2.6 ) Recommended Intravenous SJIA Dosage Every 2 Weeks Patients less than 30 kg weight 12 mg per kg Patients at or above 30 kg weight 8 mg per kg Recommended Subcutaneous SJIA Dosage Patients less than 30 kg weight 162 mg every two weeks Patients at or above 30 kg weight 162 mg every week Cytokine Release Syndrome ( 2.7 ) Recommended Intravenous CRS Dosage Patients less than 30 kg weight 12 mg per kg Patients at or above 30 kg weight 8 mg per kg Alone or in combination with corticosteroids. Coronavirus Disease 2019 ( 2.8 ) Recommended Intravenous COVID-19 Dosage Patients less than 30 kg weight 12 mg per kg Patients at or above 30 kg weight 8 mg per kg Administered by a 60-minute intravenous infusion Administration of Intravenous formulation ( 2.9 ) For patients with RA, GCA, COVID-19, CRS, PJIA, and SJIA patients at or above 30 kg, dilute to 100 mL in 0.9% or 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP for intravenous infusion using aseptic technique. For PJIA, SJIA, CRS and COVID-19 patients less than 30 kg, dilute to 50 mL in 0.9% or 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP for intravenous infusion using aseptic technique. Administer as a single intravenous drip infusion over 1 hour; do not admini…
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious Infections – do not administer ACTEMRA during an active infection, including localized infections. If a serious infection develops, interrupt ACTEMRA until the infection is controlled. ( 5.1 ) Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation—use with caution in patients who may be at increased risk. ( 5.2 ) Hepatotoxicity- Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hepatic injury. Modify or discontinue ACTEMRA if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen or if clinical signs and symptoms of liver disease develop. ( 2.10 , 5.3 ) Laboratory monitoring—recommended due to potential consequences of treatment-related changes in neutrophils, platelets, lipids, and liver function tests. ( 2.10 , 5.4 ) Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and death, and serious cutaneous reactions including Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) – discontinue ACTEMRA, treat promptly, and monitor until reaction resolves. ( 5.6 ) Live vaccines—Avoid use with ACTEMRA. ( 5.9 , 7.3 ) 5.1 Serious Infections Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, protozoal, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients receiving immunosuppressive agents including ACTEMRA. The most common serious infections included pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cellulitis, herpes zoster, gastroenteritis, diverticulitis, sepsis and bacterial arthritis [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Among opportunistic infections, tuberculosis, cryptococcus, aspergillosis, candidiasis, and pneumocystosis were reported with ACTEMRA. Other serious infections, not reported in clinical studies, may also occur (e.g., histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, listeriosis). Patients have presented with disseminated rather than localized disease, and were often taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids which in addition to rheumatoid arthritis may predispose them to infections. Do not administer ACTEMRA in patients with an active infection, including localized infections. The risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to initiating ACTEMRA in patients: with chronic or recurrent infection; who have been exposed to tuberculosis; with a history of serious or an opportunistic infection; who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses; or with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with ACTEMRA, as signs and symptoms of acute inflammation may be lessened due to suppression of the acute phase reactants [see Dosage and Administration (2.8) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) , and Patient Counseling Information (17) ] . Hold ACTEMRA if a patient develops a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis. A patient who develops a new infection during treatment with ACTEMRA should undergo a prompt and complete diagnostic workup appropriate for an immunocompromised patient, initiate appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and closely monitor the patient. COVID-19 In patients with COVID-19, monitor for signs and symptoms of new infections during and after treatment with ACTEMRA. There is limited information regarding the use of ACTEMRA in patients with COVID-19 and concomitant active serious infections. The risks and benefits of treatment with ACTEMRA in COVID-19 patients with other concurrent infections should be considered. Tuberculosis Evaluate patients for tuberculosis risk factors and test for latent infection prior to initiating ACTEMRA. In patients with COVID-19, testing for latent infection is not necessary prior to initiating treatment with ACTEMRA. Consider anti-tuberculosis therapy prior to initiation of ACTEMRA in patients with a past history of latent or active tuberculosis in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed, and for patients with a negative test for latent tub…
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ACTEMRA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ACTEMRA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ]. Known hypersensitivity to ACTEMRA. ( 4 )
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Concomitant Drugs for Treatment of Adult Indications In RA patients, population pharmacokinetic analyses did not detect any effect of methotrexate (MTX), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids on tocilizumab clearance. Concomitant administration of a single intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg ACTEMRA with 10-25 mg MTX once weekly had no clinically significant effect on MTX exposure. ACTEMRA has not been studied in combination with biological DMARDs such as TNF antagonists [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . In GCA patients, no effect of concomitant corticosteroid on tocilizumab exposure was observed. 7.2 Interactions with CYP450 Substrates Cytochrome P450s in the liver are down-regulated by infection and inflammation stimuli including cytokines such as IL-6. Inhibition of IL-6 signaling in RA patients treated with tocilizumab may restore CYP450 activities to higher levels than those in the absence of tocilizumab leading to increased metabolism of drugs that are CYP450 substrates. In vitro studies showed that tocilizumab has the potential to affect expression of multiple CYP enzymes including CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. Its effect on CYP2C8 or transporters is unknown. In vivo studies with omeprazole, metabolized by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, and simvastatin, metabolized by CYP3A4, showed up to a 28% and 57% decrease in exposure one week following a single dose of ACTEMRA, respectively. The effect of tocilizumab on CYP enzymes may be clinically relevant for CYP450 substrates with narrow therapeutic index, where the dose is individually adjusted. Upon initiation or discontinuation of ACTEMRA, in patients being treated with these types of medicinal products, perform therapeutic monitoring of effect (e.g., warfarin) or drug concentration (e.g., cyclosporine or theophylline) and the individual dose of the medicinal product adjusted as needed. Exercise caution when coadministering ACTEMRA 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 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 Live Vaccines Avoid use of live vaccines concurrently with ACTEMRA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] .
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The available data with ACTEMRA from a pregnancy exposure registry, retrospective cohort study, pharmacovigilance, and published literature are insufficient to draw conclusions about a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. These studies had methodological limitations, including small sample size of tocilizumab exposed groups, missing exposure and outcomes information, and lack of adjustment for confounders. Monoclonal antibodies, such as tocilizumab, are actively transported across the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy and may affect immune response in the in utero exposed infant [see Clinical Considerations ]. In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of tocilizumab to Cynomolgus monkeys during organogenesis caused abortion/embryo-fetal death at doses 1.25 times and higher than the maximum recommended human dose by the intravenous route of 8 mg per kg every 2 to 4 weeks. The literature in animals suggests that inhibition of IL-6 signaling may interfere with cervical ripening and dilatation and myometrial contractile activity leading to potential delays of parturition [see Data ] . Based on the animal data, there may be a potential risk to the fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Monoclonal antibodies are increasingly transported across the placenta as pregnancy progresses, with the largest amount transferred during the third trimester. Risks and benefits should be considered prior to administering live or live-attenuated vaccines to infants exposed to ACTEMRA in utero [see Warnings and Precautions 5.9) ] . Disease-associated Maternal Risk Published data suggest that the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased disease activity. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (less than 2500 g) infants, and small for gestational age at birth. Data Animal Data An embryo-fetal developmental toxicity study was performed in which pregnant Cynomolgus monkeys were treated intravenously with tocilizumab at daily doses of 2, 10, or 50 mg/ kg during organogenesis from gestation day (GD) 20-50. Although there was no evidence for a teratogenic/dysmorphogenic effect at any dose, tocilizumab produced an increase in the incidence of abortion/embryo-fetal death at doses 1.25 times and higher the MRHD by the intravenous route at maternal intravenous doses of 10 and 50 mg/ kg. Testing of a murine analogue of tocilizumab in mice did not yield any evidence of harm to offspring during the pre- and postnatal development phase when dosed at 50 mg/kg intravenously with treatment every three days from implantation (GD 6) until post-partum day 21 (weaning). There was no evidence for any functional impairment of the development and behavior, learning ability, immune competence and fertility of the offspring. Parturition is associated with significant increases of IL-6 in the cervix and myometrium. The literature suggests that inhibition of IL-6 signaling may interfere with cervical ripening and dilatation and myometrial contractile activity leading to potential delays of parturition. For mice deficient in IL-6 (ll6 -/- null mice), parturition was delayed relative to wild-type (ll6 +/+ ) mice. Administration of recombinant IL-6 to ll6 -/- null mice restored the normal timing of delivery.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- drug ineffective35,207
- rheumatoid arthritis22,495
- off label use20,083
- pain20,024
- arthralgia17,095
- joint swelling16,145
- fatigue15,182
- rash13,588
- drug intolerance12,980
- contraindicated product administered12,016
- arthropathy10,766
- alopecia10,620
- abdominal discomfort10,455
- synovitis10,409
- swelling10,354
- hypersensitivity10,081
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Serious Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Gastrointestinal Perforations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Laboratory Parameters [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Demyelinating Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Active Hepatic Disease and Hepatic Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not predict the rates observed in a broader patient population in clinical practice. Most common adverse reactions (incidence of at least 5%): upper respiratory tract infections, nasopharyngitis, headache, hypertension, increased ALT, injection site reactions. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with Intravenous ACTEMRA (ACTEMRA-IV) The ACTEMRA-IV data in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes 5 double-blind, controlled, multicenter studies. In these studies, patients received doses of ACTEMRA-IV 8 mg per kg monotherapy (288 patients), ACTEMRA-IV 8 mg per kg in combination with DMARDs (including methotrexate) (1582 patients), or ACTEMRA-IV 4 mg per kg in combination with methotrexate (774 patients). The all exposure population includes all patients in registration studies who received at least one dose of ACTEMRA-IV. Of the 4009 patients in this population, 3577 received treatment for at least 6 months, 3309 for at least one year; 2954 received treatment for at least 2 years and 2189 for 3 years. All patients in these studies had moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. The study population had a mean age of 52 years, 82% were female and 74% were Caucasian. The most common serious adverse reactions were serious infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The most commonly reported adverse reactions in controlled studies up to 24 weeks (occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with ACTEMRA-IV monotherapy or in combination with DMARDs) were upper respiratory tract infections, nasopharyngitis, headache, hypertension and increased ALT. The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to any adverse reactions during the double-blind, placebo-controlled studies was 5% for patients taking ACTEMRA-IV and 3% for placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reactions that required discontinuation of ACTEMRA-IV were increased hepatic transaminase values (per protocol requirement) and serious infections. Overall Infections In the 24 week, controlled clinical studies, the rate of infections in the ACTEMRA-IV monotherapy group was 119 events per 100 patient-years and was similar in the methotrexate monotherapy group. The rate of infections in the 4 mg per kg and 8 mg per kg ACTEMRA-IV plus DMARD group was 133 and 127 events per 100 patient-years, respectively, compared to 112 events per 100 patient-years in the placebo plus DMARD group. The most commonly reported infections (5% to 8% of patients) were upper respiratory tract infections and nasopharyngitis. The overall rate of infections with ACTEMRA-IV in the all exposure population remained consistent with rates in the controlled periods of the studies. Serious Infections In the 24 week, controlled clinical studies, the rate of serious infections in the ACTEMRA-IV monotherapy group was 3.6 per 100 patient-years compared to 1.5 per 100 patient-years in the methotrexate group. The rate of serious infections in the 4 mg per kg and 8 mg per kg ACTEMRA-IV plus DMARD group was 4.4 and 5.3 events per 100 patient-years, res…
View more: Full FDA label on DailyMed →Label effective 20251216