Actemra Infusion

Actemra, the brand name of tocilizumab, is a biologic medication that targets the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, a protein associated with immune response and inflammation. By blocking IL-6 signaling, Actemra can help reduce swelling and prevent immune-driven damage.

Actemra is available as an infusion and an injection, with the method of delivery depending on the condition treated. 

Because it directly modulates the immune system, Actemra is typically prescribed when other treatments haven’t worked well enough or when stronger control of inflammation is needed.

Actemra infusions are a form of IV therapy that can treat a range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including:

• RA in adults who haven’t responded well to other therapies

• GAC, a form of vasculitis

• SJIA in children 2 years and older

• PJIA in children 2 years and older

• CRS, a potentially severe immune reaction that can occur after certain cancer treatments

During Actemra infusion therapy, tocilizumab is delivered intravenously in a clinical setting, with patient monitoring throughout the process to:

1. Ensure safety.

2. Manage any infusion-related reactions.

3. Track treatment effectiveness.

Actemra infusions and injections both deliver tocilizumab to patients; they differ in how, why, and how often the treatment is administered.

Specifically, an Actemra infusion vs. injection will have different:

• Routes of administration: An Actemra infusion is delivered intravenously over about 60 minutes by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting. In contrast, an Actemra injection is administered in a fraction of the time via a prefilled syringe or ACTPen® autoinjector.

• Dosing schedules: While tocilizumab infusions are typically administered every 4 weeks (once a month), tocilizumab injections are generally required weekly or every other week.

• Condition(s) treated: The FDA has approved Actemra infusions for specific conditions, with tocilizumab injections reserved for others. In other words, a patient’s condition will dictate whether infusion vs. injection is the appropriate treatment option.

The bottom line is that both forms of Actemra (IV and injection) are effective and generally safe, but they serve distinct patient needs: 

As always, final decisions should be guided by your healthcare provider, who can tailor treatment plans to your medical situation.

Like other biologics and IV therapy, tocilizumab may result in side effects for some patients.

Common Actemra infusion side effects are generally tolerable, treatable, and fleeting. These can include (and are not limited to):

• Headache

• High blood pressure

• Increased liver enzymes

• Upper respiratory tract infections (cold symptoms)

Some patients also report fatigue or feeling tired after an Actemra infusion. 

As one of the known and less common side effects of tocilizumab infusion, fatigue may be related to the underlying condition being treated, rather than the medication itself. If tiredness is severe or persistent, patients should notify their healthcare provider.

Less common, more serious Actemra infusion side effects can include:

• Serious infections: Actemra can lower the immune system’s ability to fight infection. This can increase the risk of illnesses like pneumonia, tuberculosis, bacterial infections, viral infections, and fungal infections. If not properly treated, these infections can become severe.

• Gastrointestinal perforation: Rare but possible in some patients, this Actemra side effect refers to a tear in the stomach or intestines. It can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention with symptoms like severe abdominal pain.

• Allergic reactions: Symptoms can include hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis during or after Actemra treatment.

• Changes in blood counts: With this tocilizumab side effect, white blood cell or platelet counts drop, making it harder to fight off infections while increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising.

To minimize the risk of Actemra side effects, patients should always:

1. Share their full medical history with their health care provider before starting a course of tocilizumab.

2. Report any persistent or severe symptoms immediately.

An Actemra infusion usually takes about 1 hour for complete drug delivery. 

Please be aware, however, that a single Actemra infusion appointment usually takes longer than an hour, with additional time needed for:

• Pre-infusion preparation

• Post-infusion procedures and observation

Patients can typically resume their daily activities after an Actemra infusion. Generally, it’s recommended that patients keep a close eye on how they’re feeling because some may experience delayed reactions.

Yes. Actemra is a biologic therapy.

That effectively means that:

• Actemra is made from living cells.

• Actemra targets the IL-6 receptor, a specific part of the immune system involved in inflammation.

• Actemra is different from general immunosuppressant medications.

No. Actemra is not chemotherapy. 

It’s an immunosuppressive biologic that blocks IL-6 receptor activity. 

With that, Actemra can be used to treat inflammation caused by cancer therapies (like cytokine release syndrome after CAR T-cell therapy), even though tocilizumab itself is not classified as chemotherapy.

The cost of Actemra can vary depending on:

• The prescribed dose and frequency: Actemra infusions are administered at a different frequency than injections, which can impact how much tocilizumab costs.

• Where treatment is received: Ambulatory infusion centers (AICs) don’t charge the same rates as hospitals. So, the provider of Actemra infusions or injections matters when it comes to drug costs.

• Insurance coverage: Along with what insurers cover, financial assistance programs may offset remaining costs for patients.

While the list price for Actemra is high, most patients do not pay the full amount out of pocket. 

To find out how much you can expect to pay for an Actemra infusion or a tocilizumab injection, contact your healthcare provider, your insurance provider, or LUX Infusion.

Yes. Actemra infusions are generally covered under Medicare Part B as a physician-administered medication.

Out-of-pocket costs will depend on the patient’s plan and whether they have supplemental coverage.

Please contact Medicare, your insurance provider, or LUX Infusion for support in understanding coverage and costs. 

The patient navigators at LUX can walk you through this and help you with any available financial assistance programs to minimize your out-of-pocket costs for Actemra infusions or tocilizumab injections.

To find a convenient location for Actemra infusions or injections, you can:

• Use the Actemra infusion clinic locator here: This free tool from the National Infusion Center Association (NICA) can show you approved infusion centers near your location, based on your zip code.
  

• Ask your healthcare provider: Providers can refer you to local Actemra infusion clinics. They can also help find out-of-city or out-of-state options if you’re traveling and need Actemra infusions away from home.
  

• Contact LUX Infusion when you’re in Alaska: The LUX Infusion clinics in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Palmer are approved Actemra infusion centers that offer tocilizumab therapy in luxurious, comfortable, and conveniently located settings. Our team works with healthcare providers nationwide, making it easy to coordinate care, so patients have access to tocilizumab whenever and wherever they need it.