Medicine Overview
Adult Dose
| Clinical Information | Administration Information |
|---|---|
|
Indication: Rheumatoid Arthritis Age: Adult |
Dose: Intravenous infusion – 4 mg/kg Frequency: initially every 4 weeks Note: may increase to 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks based on clinical response; not to exceed 800 mg per dose every 4 weeks; indicated for adults with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to 1 or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; may use alone or in combination with methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs |
|
Indication: Rheumatoid Arthritis Age: Adult |
Dose: Subcutaneous injection – 162 mg Frequency: every other week Note: followed by an increase to every week based on clinical response; indicated for adults with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to 1 or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; may use alone or in combination with methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs |
Child Dose
| Clinical Information | Administration Information |
|---|---|
|
Indication: Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA, Still's Disease) Age: less than 2 years |
Dose: Intravenous – Safety and efficacy not established Note: Safety and efficacy not established |
|
Indication: Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA, Still's Disease) Age: 2 years or older |
Dose: Intravenous – 12 mg/kg Frequency: every 2 weeks Note: May be administered as monotherapy or with methotrexate |
Renal Dose
| Clinical Information | Administration Information |
|---|---|
|
Condition: Mild Renal impairment |
Dose: Not specified Note: No dosage adjustment required |
|
Condition: Moderate-to-severe Renal impairment |
Dose: Not specified Note: Has not been studied |
Administration
- IV infusion over 1 hour
- Don't give as bolus
Side Effect
- SC injection site reactions (7.1-10.1%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
- Nasopharyngitis
- Headache
- Hypertension
- Increased ALT
- Infusion related skin reactions (eg rash, pruritus, urticaria)
- Dose related adverse reactions including decreased neutrophil count Less than 1000/cu,mm
- decreased platelets Less than 100,000/cu,mm
- Lipid elevations
- Mouth ulcerations
- Gastritis
- Upper abdominal pain
Drug Interaction
Drug Interaction
| Drug Name | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
|
Methotrexate, NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Celecoxib, Meloxicam, Indomethacin, Piroxicam, Ketorolac), Corticosteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone)
|
No effect on tocilizumab clearance detected
|
|
CYP450 enzymes substrates
|
May normalize expression of these enzymes
|
Disease Interaction
Disease Interaction
| Disease Name | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
|
No specific contraindications listed
|
Monitor for general drug reactions
|
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Lactation
Special Use
Precaution
Overdose
Pharmacology
Storage
Tocilizumab must be refrigerated at 2ºC to 8ºC. Do not freeze. Protect the vials, syringes, and autoinjectors from light by storage in the original package until time of use, and keep syringes and autoinjectors dry.
Data Sources
Clinical & regulatory information on this page is compiled from the following government sources:
DISCLAIMER: This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment.