What is tocilizumab?
Tocilizumab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.
Tocilizumab is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It is sometimes given together with other arthritis medications.
Tocilizumab is also used to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthrits (or "Still disease") in children who are at least 2 years old. It is sometimes given together with methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall).
Tocilizumab is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Tocilizumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about tocilizumab?
Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with tocilizumab. Contact your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, cough, sweating, feeling short of breath, diarrhea, weight loss, sores on your skin, painful urination, or feeling very tired.
Before you start treatment with tocilizumab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis or other infections.
Tell your doctor if you have an active or recent infection, liver disease or hepatitis B, diabetes, diverticulitis, stomach ulcer or bleeding, high cholesterol, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, a weak immune system, or a history of cancer.
Tocilizumab can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with tocilizumab.
Treatment with tocilizumab may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive tocilizumab?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.
To make sure you can safely use tocilizumab, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
an active or recent infection (such as herpes, pneumonia, or yeast infection);
signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough, body aches, diarrhea, weight loss, painful urination, or coughing up blood;
open sores or skin wounds;
liver disease;
diverticulitis, stomach ulcer, or a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
diabetes;
a weak immune system;
high cholesterol;
hepatitis B (or if you are a carrier of the virus);
a nerve-muscle disease such as multiple sclerosis;
HIV or AIDS;
a history of cancer; or
if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether tocilizumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of tocilizumab on the baby.
It is not known whether tocilizumab passes into breast milk. You should not breast-feed while you are using tocilizumab.
Treatment with tocilizumab may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk.