The U.S. FDA approved tocilizumab on 08/01/2010. This medicine belongs to a group of monoclonal antibodies (a protein made from specific immune cells).

This is used in conditions such as moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and who have inadequate response with other rheumatoid drugs, giant cell arteritis (disease in arteries), children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA).

The medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered in the vein (intravenous). Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The common side effects that are experienced while you are on the treatment with tocilizumab upper respiratory tract infections characterised by symptoms like cough, a blocked or runny nose, sore throat, and headaches. It can also result in elevated blood fat (cholesterol) levels. Injection site reactions may occur, and in some cases, lung infections like pneumonia can develop. Other potential side effects encompass conditions like shingles (herpes zoster), cold sores, and blisters, as well as eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Some individuals may experience headaches, dizziness, and high blood pressure. Mouth ulceration and stomach pain are also possible, along with fluid retention in the lower legs leading to weight gain. Additionally, this medication might cause coughing and shortness of breath, low white blood cell counts (neutropenia and leucopenia), abnormal liver function tests indicated by increased transaminases, increased bilirubin levels in blood tests, and low fibrinogen levels in the blood, which is a protein crucial for blood clotting Report your doctor immediately, if you experience any allergic reaction like difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching, Fever and chills, Mouth or skin blisters, Stomach ache.

Children with allergic reactions to ingredients and severe infections should consult their doctor before taking the medicine. Talk to your doctor immediately if you have any allergic reaction (difficulty with breathing, chest tightness rash, itching, hives, swelling lips, tongue, or face), infection (short- or long-term), tuberculosis, intestinal ulcers or diverticulitis (small bulging pouches developed in the digestive tract), liver disease, cancer, kidney function problems, and persistent headaches.

Inform your doctor if the Children have a history of macrophage activation syndrome (activation and uncontrolled proliferation of specific blood cells). The elderly are more likely to develop infections than the general population, so it is important to be cautious when treating them. Consult your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant or while you are breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor if you have recently been vaccinated or are planning a vaccination because a certain vaccination (Live vaccine) should not be given while taking tocilizumab medicine. Your doctor will advise you to check the blood if you have low white blood cells, platelets, or elevated liver enzymes before giving you the medicine.

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2. Genentech, Inc., US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Aug 2017] [Accessed on 26rd Sep 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/125276s114lbl.pdf
3. Ahmed A. Negm & Daniel E. Furst, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Nonopioid Analgesics, & Drugs Used in Gout, Lange’s Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 642-666.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.