Tocilizumab

Indications & Dose:

Moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (in combination with methotrexate or alone if methotrexate inappropriate) when response to at least one diseasemodifying antirheumatic drug or tumour necrosis factor inhibitor has been inadequate, or in those who are intolerant of these drugs

• BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION

Adult: 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks (max. per dose 800 mg), for dose adjustments in patients with liver enzyme abnormalities, or low absolute neutrophil or platelet count, consult product literature 

Contraindications:

Do not initiate if absolute neutrophil count less than 26109/litre . severe active infection 

Side Effects:

Common or very common Abdominal pain . antibody formation . dizziness . gastritis . headache . hypercholesterolaemia . hypersensitivity . hypertension . infection . leucopenia . mouth ulceration . neutropenia . peripheral oedema . pruritus . raised hepatic transaminases . rash . upper respiratory-tract infection

Uncommon Anaphylaxis . gastric ulcer . gastrointestinal perforation . hypertriglyceridaemia . hypothyroidism . infusion related reactions . nephrolithiasis

Cautions:

History of diverticulitis . history of intestinal ulceration . history of recurrent or chronic infection (interrupt treatment if serious infection occurs) . low absolute neutrophil count . low platelet count . predisposition to infection (interrupt treatment if serious infection occurs) 

Precautions:

Interaction:

Warnings:

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Lactations:

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Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: