b (Remicade®), rituximab (Rituxan®), abatacept (Orencia®), anakinra (Kineret®), certolizumab (Cimzia®), or golimumab (Simponi®), while you are taking ACTEMRA. Taking ACTEMRA with these medicines may increase your risk of infection.
medicines that affect the way certain liver enzymes work. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I receive ACTEMRA?
Into a vein (IV or intravenous infusion) for Rheumatoid Arthritis, PJIA, or SJIA:
If your doctor prescribes ACTEMRA as an IV infusion, you will receive ACTEMRA from a healthcare provider through a needle placed in a vein in your arm. The infusion will take about 1 hour to give you the full dose of medicine.
For rheumatoid arthritis or PJIA you will receive a dose of ACTEMRA about every 4 weeks.
For SJIA you will receive a dose of ACTEMRA about every 2 weeks.
If you miss a scheduled dose of ACTEMRA, ask your healthcare provider when to schedule your next infusion.
While taking ACTEMRA, you may continue to use other medicines that help treat your rheumatoid arthritis, PJIA, or SJIA such as methotrexate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prescription steroids, as instructed by your healthcare provider.
Keep all of your follow-up appointments and get your blood tests as ordered by your healthcare provider.
Under the skin (SC or subcutaneous injection) for Rheumatoid Arthritis:
See the Instructions for Use at the end of this Medication Guide for instructions about the right way to prepare and give your ACTEMRA injections at home.
ACTEMRA is available as a single-use Prefilled Syringe.
You may also receive ACTEMRA as injection under your skin (subcutaneous). If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver can give your injections of ACTEMRA at home, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject ACTEMRA. Do not try to inject ACTEMRA until you have been shown the right way to give the injections by your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ACTEMRA to use and when to use it.
What are the possible side effects with ACTEMRA?
ACTEMRA can cause serious side effects, including:
See "WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ACTEMRA?"
Hepatitis B infection in people who carry the virus in their blood. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus may become active while you use ACTEMRA. Your doctor may do blood tests before you start treatment with ACTEMRA and while you are using ACTEMRA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a possible hepatitis B infection:
feel very tired
skin or eyes look yellow
little or no appetite
vomiting
clay-colored bowel movements
fevers
chills
stomach discomfort
muscle aches
dark urine
skin rash
Serious Allergic Reactions. Serious allergic reactions, including death, can happen with ACTEMRA. These reactions can happen with any infusion or injection of ACTEMRA, even if they did not occur with an earlier infusion or injection. Tell your healthcare provider before your next dose if you had hives, rash or flushing after your injection. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following signs of a serious allergic reaction:
shortness of breath or |
