Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Kevzara
- Interleukin Inhibitors;
- Monoclonal Antibodies;
- DMARDs, Immunomodulators
Description
Injectable interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist
Used for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response or are intolerant to 1 or more DMARDs
Boxed warning for increased risk of developing serious infections during therapy
Indications
Indicated for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to ≥1 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Indicated for adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids or who cannot tolerate corticosteroid taper
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity to drug or inactive ingredients
Adverse Effects
- ALT >ULN to ≤3 x ULN (38-43%)
- AST >ULN to ≤3 x ULN (27-30%)
- Neutropenia (7-10%)
- ANC <1000/mm³ (4-6%)
- Injection site erythema (4-5%)
- Injection site pruritics (4-5%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)
- ALT >3x to 5x ULN (3-4%)
- Urinary tract infection (3%)
- Hypertriglyceridemia (1-3%)
- Leukopenia (0.9-2%)
Warnings
Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported (see Black Box Warnings)
GI perforations reported in clinical studies, primarily as complications of diverticulitis; GI perforation risk may be increased with concurrent diverticulitis or concomitant use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids
Immunosuppression may result in an increased risk of malignancies
Hypersensitivity reactions reported
Not recommended with active hepatic disease or hepatic impairment
Pregnancy and Lactation
Limited human data in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage
Unknown if distributed in human breast milk
Maximum Dosage
200 mg/dose subcutaneously every 2 weeks; investigational doses of 400 mg IV have been used for COVID-19.
200 mg/dose subcutaneously every 2 weeks; investigational doses of 400 mg IV have been used for COVID-19.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
sarilumab
injectable solution (prefilled syringe)
- 150mg/1.14mL
- 200mg/1.14mL
injectable solution (prefilled pen)
- 150mg/1.14mL
- 200mg/1.14mL