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If you have questions, concerns, or
comments, we’d like to hear from you.
To get in touch with us, please call
1-844-KEVZARA
(1-844-538-9272) Monday through Friday,
8:00 AM–9:00 PM EST.
KEVZARA® (sarilumab) is an injectable prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blocker. KEVZARA is used to treat adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
For adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Who have not been helped enough by other RA medicines
I have the answer
I was looking for.
KEVZARA helped ease my stiffness and
joint pain. Now I can focus on what's
important to me. Even if it's just
watching a movie or playing some ball
with my
daughter.
—Shonda, Bethlehem, PA
I have the answer
I was looking for.
KEVZARA helped ease my morning stiffness and joint pain. Now, I can focus on what's important to me. Even if it's just watching a movie or playing some ball with my daughter.
–Shonda, Bethlehem, PA
KEVZARA is an injectable prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blockerIL-6 receptor blocker:
An IL-6 protein can attach to a cell to trigger inflammation. The IL-6 receptor blocker prevents the two from connecting.. KEVZARA is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs):
Medications that may help preserve joints by blocking inflammation that could destroy joint tissue over time. has been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
KEVZARA is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection) once every 2 weeks, and comes in 2 doses—200 mg/1.14 mL or 150 mg/1.14 mL. You should take KEVZARA exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
Your immune system works hard to keep your body healthy by asking proteinsProteins:
The body’s cells, tissues, and organs require proteins to function. In a person with RA, a number of different proteins are produced in excess, which may harm the body over time. to fight any infection or injury that it detects. For people with RA, however, their immune system actually causes harm, because it also attacks joints and other parts of the body that are healthy. That’s why RA is called an autoimmune disorder.
KEVZARA blocks one of these proteins—the interleukin-6 (IL-6) proteinInterleukin-6 (IL-6) protein:
One of many immune system proteins produced by white blood cells. IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue.. KEVZARA can reduce the pain and swollen joints that you feel with RA. It is proven to slow the progression of joint damage over time.
Most doctors initially prescribe a
biologic
Biologic:
In RA, biologics are drugs typically derived from human proteins. Biologics target specific parts of the immune system that fuel inflammation. known as a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi)Tumor necrosis factor Inhibitors (TNFi):
A type of biologic used for rheumatoid arthritis that specifically targets the TNF protein, which may cause inflammation.
.
If your TNFi stops working, doesn’t work as well as it used to, or if your body can’t tolerate it, a different type of
biologic may help.
KEVZARA may be that option for you. KEVZARA is different because it blocks a protein known as interleukin-6 (IL-6)Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein:
One of many immune system proteins produced by white blood cells. IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue..
KEVZARA can cause serious side effects including:
Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting KEVZARA.
Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with KEVZARA.
You should not start using KEVZARA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. Before starting KEVZARA, tell your healthcare provider if you:
think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, with or without a fever:
|
|
are being treated for an infection.
get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back.
have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance of getting infections.
have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
live or have lived, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance of getting certain fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis). These infections may happen more often or become more severe if you use KEVZARA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
have or have had hepatitis.
After starting KEVZARA, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection.
Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you start KEVZARA, 4 to 8 weeks after starting KEVZARA, and then every 3 months during treatment to check for:
low neutrophil count. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help the body fight off bacterial infections. A low neutrophil count is common with KEVZARA, and can be severe.
low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help with blood clotting and stop bleeding.
increase in certain liver function tests. An increase in certain liver function tests is common with KEVZARA, and can be severe.
Your healthcare provider may not prescribe KEVZARA if your neutrophil or platelet counts are too low, or your liver function tests are too high. Your healthcare provider may stop your KEVZARA treatment for a period of time or change your dose if needed because of changes in these blood test results. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests 4 to 8 weeks after starting KEVZARA and then every 6 months during treatment to check for an:
increase in blood cholesterol levels.
These are not all the possible side effects of KEVZARA. For the full list of side effects, please see the KEVZARA full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Before using KEVZARA, talk to your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
It is not known if KEVZARA will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking KEVZARA.
It is not known if KEVZARA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use KEVZARA.
You and your doctor should consider the potential risks and benefits of taking KEVZARA while pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not take KEVZARA while pregnant or breastfeeding without talking to your doctor first.
If you are pregnant or become pregnant while using KEVZARA, there is a pregnancy registry for women who take KEVZARA during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. You can talk to your healthcare provider, contact 1-877-311-8972, or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/kevzara/ to enroll in this registry or get more information.
See the detailed Instructions for Use that come with your Medication Guide for instructions about the right way to give your KEVZARA injections at home. You can also view our injection training videos on this site.
Whether you’ve just been prescribed KEVZARA or have already started taking it, the KevzaraConnect® Copay Card helps eligible, commercially insured patients with their out-of-pocket treatment costs for KEVZARA.
With the copay card, eligible patients can pay as little as $0 copay per month. Maximum annual copay assistance is $15,000. This program is not valid for prescriptions covered by or submitted for reimbursement under Medicaid, Medicare, VA, DOD, TRICARE, or similar federal or state programs, including any state pharmaceutical assistance program. See the full Terms and Conditions.
See the KevzaraConnect Copay Card section to apply for the copay card, or to activate an existing KevzaraConnect Copay Card.
To help you get started on KEVZARA, we offer the KevzaraConnect® program. With your prescription, KevzaraConnect offers you access to information and services, including Nurse Educator support, and kits that offer product information, and lifestyle tips.
The risk information that we've provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about
KEVZARA with your healthcare provider or pharmacist or call 1-844-KEVZARA (1-844-538-9272).
With RA, you may look fine, but your immune system can mistakenly attack the healthy tissue around your joints. While we don’t know exactly what causes the immune system to go off course, it is believed to play a key role in the inflammation, pain, and joint damage of RA.
In a healthy joint, there is a thin lining of tissue known as the synoviumSynovium:
A tissue that lines the inside of the joints and produces a fluid that cushions and lubricates the joints, allowing bones to move past one another with ease.. The synovium produces a fluid that cushions and lubricates the joint, allowing bones to move past one another with ease.
In joints with RA, the immune system attacks the synovium, causing it to become inflamed. Untreated inflammation may lead to cartilage loss and bone erosion. The joint space between bones may decrease, making it difficult for them to move past one another. Eventually, bone and joint damage may take place.
You may be familiar with the differences between common nonsteroidal pain relievers, steroids, and even traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs):
Medications that may help preserve joints by blocking inflammation that could destroy joint tissue over time.. But what about biologics that treat RA?
In RA, biologics target specific parts of the immune system that fuel inflammation. While most biologics affect the immune system, each type of biologic targets a different cell or protein Proteins:
The body’s cells, tissues, and organs require proteins to function. In a person with RA, a number of different proteins are produced in excess, which may harm the body over time. that contributes to the signs and symptoms of RA.
The common types of biologics and ″biologic-type″ drugs for RA are:
Interleukin-6Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein:
One of many immune system proteins produced by white blood cells. IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue. , or IL-6, is a protein that’s produced by the white cells
in your blood. Elevated IL-6 levels are potentially associated with RA.
IL-6 serves dual roles. In a healthy body, it helps activate defense mechanisms against infections and some injuries. But for people with RA, higher levels of IL-6 can actually work against the best interests of the body, because it creates constant inflammation where it’s not needed. This inflammation day after day may lead to joint damage. KEVZARA targets the effects of IL-6, potentially helping to reduce the amount of inflammation in your body, and helping to slow the damage that RA may cause.
IL-6 and TNF are alike in some ways. Both are proteins. Both need to attach to cell membrane structures (IL-6 or TNF receptors). And both trigger inflammation that may contribute to RA.
However, each seeks a different receptor on the membrane to work. Because they interact with cells through unique receptors, doctors may try using a medication targeting a different pathway to treat your RA if one of them stops working over time, doesn’t work well enough, or if your body can’t tolerate the treatment.
That’s why doctors may prescribe an IL-6 receptor blocker after a TNFi failure.
KEVZARA is an IL-6 receptor blocker.
The risk information that we've provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about
KEVZARA with your healthcare provider or pharmacist or call 1-844-KEVZARA (1-844-538-9272).
KEVZARA is an injectable prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blockerIL-6 receptor blocker:
An IL-6 protein can attach to a cell to trigger inflammation. The IL-6 receptor blocker prevents the two from connecting.. KEVZARA is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs):
Medications that may help preserve joints by blocking inflammation that could destroy joint tissue over time. has been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
KEVZARA is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection) once every 2 weeks, and comes in 2 doses—200 mg/1.14 mL or 150 mg/1.14 mL. You should take KEVZARA exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
Your immune system works hard to keep your body healthy by asking proteinsProteins:
The body’s cells, tissues, and organs require proteins to function. In a person with RA, a number of different proteins are produced in excess, which may harm the body over time. to fight any infection or injury that it detects. For people with RA, however, their immune system actually causes harm, because it also attacks joints and other parts of the body that are healthy. That’s why RA is called an autoimmune disorder.
KEVZARA blocks one of these proteins—the interleukin-6 (IL-6) proteinInterleukin-6 (IL-6) protein:
One of many immune system proteins produced by white blood cells. IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue.. KEVZARA can reduce the pain and swollen joints that you feel with RA. It is proven to slow the progression of joint damage over time.
Most doctors initially prescribe a
biologic
Biologic:
In RA, biologics are drugs typically derived from human proteins. Biologics target specific parts of the immune system that fuel inflammation. known as a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi)Tumor necrosis factor Inhibitors (TNFi):
A type of biologic used for rheumatoid arthritis that specifically targets the TNF protein, which may cause inflammation.
.
If your TNFi stops working, doesn’t work as well as it used to, or if your body can’t tolerate it, a different type of
biologic may help.
KEVZARA may be that option for you. KEVZARA is different because it blocks a protein known as interleukin-6 (IL-6)Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein:
One of many immune system proteins produced by white blood cells. IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue..
KEVZARA can cause serious side effects including:
Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting KEVZARA.
Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with KEVZARA.
You should not start using KEVZARA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. Before starting KEVZARA, tell your healthcare provider if you:
think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, with or without a fever:
|
|
are being treated for an infection.
get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back.
have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance of getting infections.
have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
live or have lived, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance of getting certain fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis). These infections may happen more often or become more severe if you use KEVZARA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
have or have had hepatitis.
After starting KEVZARA, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection.
Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you start KEVZARA, 4 to 8 weeks after starting KEVZARA, and then every 3 months during treatment to check for:
low neutrophil count. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help the body fight off bacterial infections. A low neutrophil count is common with KEVZARA, and can be severe.
low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help with blood clotting and stop bleeding.
increase in certain liver function tests. An increase in certain liver function tests is common with KEVZARA, and can be severe.
Your healthcare provider may not prescribe KEVZARA if your neutrophil or platelet counts are too low, or your liver function tests are too high. Your healthcare provider may stop your KEVZARA treatment for a period of time or change your dose if needed because of changes in these blood test results. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests 4 to 8 weeks after starting KEVZARA and then every 6 months during treatment to check for an:
increase in blood cholesterol levels.
These are not all the possible side effects of KEVZARA. For the full list of side effects, please see the KEVZARA full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Before using KEVZARA, talk to your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
It is not known if KEVZARA will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking KEVZARA.
It is not known if KEVZARA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use KEVZARA.
You and your doctor should consider the potential risks and benefits of taking KEVZARA while pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not take KEVZARA while pregnant or breastfeeding without talking to your doctor first.
If you are pregnant or become pregnant while using KEVZARA, there is a pregnancy registry for women who take KEVZARA during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. You can talk to your healthcare provider, contact 1-877-311-8972, or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/kevzara/ to enroll in this registry or get more information.
See the detailed Instructions for Use that come with your Medication Guide for instructions about the right way to give your KEVZARA injections at home. You can also view our injection training videos on this site.
Whether you’ve just been prescribed KEVZARA or have already started taking it, the KevzaraConnect® Copay Card helps eligible, commercially insured patients with their out-of-pocket treatment costs for KEVZARA.
With the copay card, eligible patients can pay as little as $0 copay per month. Maximum annual copay assistance is $15,000. This program is not valid for prescriptions covered by or submitted for reimbursement under Medicaid, Medicare, VA, DOD, TRICARE, or similar federal or state programs, including any state pharmaceutical assistance program. See the full Terms and Conditions.
See the KevzaraConnect Copay Card section to apply for the copay card, or to activate an existing KevzaraConnect Copay Card.
To help you get started on KEVZARA, we offer the KevzaraConnect® program. With your prescription, KevzaraConnect offers you access to information and services, including Nurse Educator support, and kits that offer product information, and lifestyle tips.
The risk information that we've provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about
KEVZARA with your healthcare provider or pharmacist or call 1-844-KEVZARA (1-844-538-9272).
With RA, you may look fine, but your immune system can mistakenly attack the healthy tissue around your joints. While we don’t know exactly what causes the immune system to go off course, it is believed to play a key role in the inflammation, pain, and joint damage of RA.
In a healthy joint, there is a thin lining of tissue known as the synoviumSynovium:
A tissue that lines the inside of the joints and produces a fluid that cushions and lubricates the joints, allowing bones to move past one another with ease.. The synovium produces a fluid that cushions and lubricates the joint, allowing bones to move past one another with ease.
In joints with RA, the immune system attacks the synovium, causing it to become inflamed. Untreated inflammation may lead to cartilage loss and bone erosion. The joint space between bones may decrease, making it difficult for them to move past one another. Eventually, bone and joint damage may take place.
You may be familiar with the differences between common nonsteroidal pain relievers, steroids, and even traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs):
Medications that may help preserve joints by blocking inflammation that could destroy joint tissue over time.. But what about biologics that treat RA?
In RA, biologics target specific parts of the immune system that fuel inflammation. While most biologics affect the immune system, each type of biologic targets a different cell or protein Proteins:
The body’s cells, tissues, and organs require proteins to function. In a person with RA, a number of different proteins are produced in excess, which may harm the body over time. that contributes to the signs and symptoms of RA.
The common types of biologics and ″biologic-type″ drugs for RA are:
Interleukin-6Interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein:
One of many immune system proteins produced by white blood cells. IL-6 plays a major role in the symptoms of RA such as pain, swollen joints, morning stiffness, and fatigue. , or IL-6, is a protein that’s produced by the white cells
in your blood. Elevated IL-6 levels are potentially associated with RA.
IL-6 serves dual roles. In a healthy body, it helps activate defense mechanisms against infections and some injuries. But for people with RA, higher levels of IL-6 can actually work against the best interests of the body, because it creates constant inflammation where it’s not needed. This inflammation day after day may lead to joint damage. KEVZARA targets the effects of IL-6, potentially helping to reduce the amount of inflammation in your body, and helping to slow the damage that RA may cause.
IL-6 and TNF are alike in some ways. Both are proteins. Both need to attach to cell membrane structures (IL-6 or TNF receptors). And both trigger inflammation that may contribute to RA.
However, each seeks a different receptor on the membrane to work. Because they interact with cells through unique receptors, doctors may try using a medication targeting a different pathway to treat your RA if one of them stops working over time, doesn’t work well enough, or if your body can’t tolerate the treatment.
That’s why doctors may prescribe an IL-6 receptor blocker after a TNFi failure.
KEVZARA is an IL-6 receptor blocker.
The risk information that we've provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about
KEVZARA with your healthcare provider or pharmacist or call 1-844-KEVZARA (1-844-538-9272).
Resource Library
Discussion Guide Download
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How to Inject: Pre-filled Syringe
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Links
About 1.3 million people
in the U.S. have RA
—The Arthritis Foundation
About 1.3
million people
in the U.S. have RA
—The Arthritis Foundation
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