How Long Does Kevzara Take to Work? Plus, Answers to 6 Other Kevzara FAQs
Kevzara (sarilumab) is a biologic medication that treats rheumatoid arthritis. Find out answers to FAQs about how Kevzara works, if it causes hair loss, and more.
Kevzara
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Kevzara (sarilumab) treats certain adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). It can also help treat children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). This medication is a biologic called an interleukin antagonist. It works to lessen inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Kevzara (sarilumab) is an injection that you give under the skin every 2 weeks. Side effects include pain and itchiness at the injection site.
What is Kevzara (sarilumab)?
What is Kevzara (sarilumab) used for?
- Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in adults
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children weighing 139 lbs or more
How Kevzara (sarilumab) works
Kevzara (sarilumab) is a type of monoclonal antibody called an interleukin antagonist. It works by blocking a protein in your immune system called interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 plays a key role in causing inflammation in your joints.
By blocking IL-6, Kevzara (sarilumab) helps lower inflammation and relieve symptoms like joint swelling and pain.
When does Kevzara (sarilumab) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Kevzara |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | IL-6 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Kevzara (sarilumab) essentials
Side effects of Kevzara (sarilumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): When used with a conventional DMARD
- Low white blood cell count (up to 10%)
- High liver enzyme levels (5%)
- Redness at injection site (4-5%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)
- Urinary tract infection (3%)
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR):
- Low white blood cell count (up to 15%)
- Constipation (7%)
- Muscle pain (7%)
- Tiredness (5%)
- Itchy rash (5%)
- Itching at injection site (5%)
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA):
- Common cold
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Redness at injection site
- Low white blood cell count
Less Common Side Effects
RA:
- Itchiness at injection site
- High triglyceride levels
PMR:
- High cholesterol levels
- High triglyceride levels
- Low platelet count
Kevzara (sarilumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infection: fever, trouble breathing, cough, weakness, sweating, chills, diarrhea, stomach pain, burning when you urinate, urinating more often
- Gut damage (perforation): fever, chills, stomach pain that won't go away, sudden and severe stomach pain, stomach swelling or bloating, nausea, vomiting
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, trouble breathing
When do Kevzara (sarilumab) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Injection site reaction (redness, itchiness)
The following Kevzara (sarilumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
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Pros and cons of Kevzara (sarilumab)
Pros
- Given once every 2 weeks
- Can inject the medication at home after your care team shows you how to do it yourself
- An option for adults who haven't gotten better with other RA medications
- An option for adults with PMR who've already tried steroids
Cons
- Must inject the medication under the skin
- Raises the risk of infection
- Will need occasional lab testing to check for some side effects
- Not recommended for people with liver problems
Pharmacist tips for Kevzara (sarilumab)
- Inject Kevzara (sarilumab) once every 2 weeks. Put reminders on your calendar or phone to help you remember when your injections are.
- The area might get sore, red, or itchy within a couple hours after each injection. This local reaction usually goes away in a day or so. But you can hold an ice pack wrapped in a towel over the area for a few minutes to help. Tell your care team if the reaction doesn't go away or gets worse.
- Kevzara (sarilumab) can raise your risk of a serious or life-threatening infection. Get medical help right away if you notice signs of infection. This can includefever, chills, weakness, sweating, cough, or trouble breathing. Your care team can make sure you get treated for an infection. If it's serious, you might have to stop Kevzara (sarilumab) so your body can fully recover from it.
- Before getting any vaccines, tell the healthcare professional that you're taking Kevzara (sarilumab). They can make sure the vaccine is safe for you. Avoid live vaccines during treatment. This medication can raise your risk of getting sick with the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent.
Tips on how to use Kevzara (sarilumab):
- Your care team will show you how to use and inject Kevzara (sarilumab) before you can do it by yourself at home. Carefully review the instructions for use. Adults can use either the prefilled syringe or pen. Children can only use the prefilled syringe. If you have any questions, ask your care team or pharmacist.
- How to store Kevzara (sarilumab): Keep the medication in its original carton to protect it from light. Put the cartons in the refrigerator, but don't let the medication freeze. You can keep the medication at room temperature (up to 77ºF) for up to 14 days if needed (like for short trips). Once it's at room temperature, don't put it back in the refrigerator.
- Before each Kevzara (sarilumab) injection: Take the medication out of the refrigerator and lay it on a flat surface to warm up to room temperature. This takes at least 30 minutes for prefilled syringes and 60 minutes for prefilled pens. Don't try to warm it up any other way. Make sure the liquid medication is clear and colorless to pale yellow before using. It also might have some air bubbles in it, which is normal.
- Where to inject Kevzara (sarilumab): Inject the medication under the skin into the fatty tissue between your skin and muscle. Inject into either the top of your thigh or at your stomach (at least 2 inches away from your belly button). You can also ask someone to help inject the medication into the back of your upper arm. Avoid areas that are scarred, tender, bruised, or damaged. Switch between injection areas each time to avoid skin irritation.
- How to inject Kevzara (sarilumab) using the prefilled syringe: Pull off the needle cap (don't put it back on). Gently pinch a fold of skin where you'll inject. With your other hand, insert the needle into the skin at a 45-degree angle. Slowly push the plunger all the way down until the syringe is empty. Then, pull the needle out at the same angle you inserted it.
- How to inject Kevzara (sarilumab) using the prefilled pen (adults only): Take off the orange cap when you're ready to inject. Place the yellow needle cover flat on your skin at a 90-degree angle with the pen window facing you. Press down and hold the pen firmly against your skin. You'll hear a click when the injection starts and another when it's done (about 15 seconds in between). Make sure the window is fully yellow before lifting the pen off your skin.
- After each Kevzara (sarilumab) injection: Throw away used syringes or pens in a sharps container. You can also use a heavy-duty plastic container, like an empty laundry detergent bottle. Don't throw away syringes or pens in the regular trash. These tips help keep you and others safe from getting stuck by a needle.
Risks and warnings for Kevzara (sarilumab)
Kevzara (sarilumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of serious infections
- Risk factors: Active, chronic, or recurrent infection | History of serious infections | Age 65 years and older | Having other conditions that raise your risk of infection | Living in or traveling to places with high rates of TB or fungal infections | Taking medications that weaken your immune system
Kevzara (sarilumab) can make it harder for your body to fight off germs. This can raise your risk of serious infections, including bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. It might also make old infections, like tuberculosis (TB) or hepatitis B, come back.
Before starting Kevzara (sarilumab), tell your prescriber about your medical history and any medications you take. Make sure they know about any current or past infections and conditions that raise your risk of infections. Let them know about any medications that can weaken your immune system. You'll also get tested for TB and hepatitis B and might get treated for these first if needed.
Go to urgent care right away if you notice signs of infection while taking Kevzara (sarilumab). Watch for fever, chills, sweating, weakness, cough, trouble breathing, or unusual diarrhea. If you get a serious infection, you might need to stop Kevzara (sarilumab) so your body can fight it.
Abnormal blood test results
Some people taking Kevzara (sarilumab) have had changes in their blood cell counts, liver enzyme levels, and cholesterol levels. Your prescriber will order blood tests for you every so often while you take this medication. This helps check for side effects and keep you safe.
Some people can have a low white blood cell count. This can put you at risk of serious infections. Although rare, others also had a low platelet count. This could make it easier to bleed, though this didn't happen often in studies. If your blood counts drop too low, you might need to stop taking Kevzara (sarilumab). Call your prescriber right away if you have any signs of infection, like fevers, chills, tiredness, and coughing. To be safe, also tell them if you notice that you start to bleed or bruise more easily.
Kevzara (sarilumab) can temporarily raise your liver enzyme levels. The risk can be higher if you also take other medications that might harm the liver. Kevzara (sarilumab) can also raise your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Gut damage
- Risk factors: History of stomach problems | Taking steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by mouth
In studies, some people taking Kevzara (sarilumab) had damage to the wall of their gut, usually as a result of other gut problems. The risk might be higher if you also take steroids or NSAIDs.
Before starting Kevzara (sarilumab), tell your prescriber if you've ever had gut problems. During treatment, let your care team know right away if you have new symptoms of stomach problems. Watch for sudden severe stomach pain, swelling or bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to Kevzara (sarilumab) can happen. Most times, people had a rash at the injection site, a general rash, or hives. But some reactions can be life-threatening, like facial swelling, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis.
Get medical help right away if you notice rash, hives, dizziness, a choking feeling, or trouble breathing after using Kevzara (sarilumab). Also get help right away if you have swelling around your eyes or swollen lips or tongue. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Avoid getting live vaccines during treatment
A good way to avoid certain infections is to make sure you're up to date with your vaccinations. Talk to your care team about which vaccines you should get before starting Kevzara (sarilumab).
Once you begin treatment, avoid getting any live vaccines. These include MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and Varivax (varicella or chickenpox). It also includes FluMist (the nasal spray flu vaccine). Kevzara (sarilumab) affects your immune system. Getting a live vaccine could raise your risk of getting the infection it's meant to prevent.
Kevzara (sarilumab) dosage
The average cost for 1 carton of 2 syringes of 200mg/1.14ml of Kevzara (sarilumab) is $0.00 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Carton
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 syringes of 150mg/1.14ml | 1 carton | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 2 syringes of 200mg/1.14ml | 1 carton | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Typical dosage for Kevzara (sarilumab)
The typical dose is 200 mg injected under the skin once every 2 weeks.
Your prescriber might lower your dose if you have side effects, like low blood cell counts or high liver enzyme levels.
How much does Kevzara (sarilumab) cost?
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Kevzara (brand)
$0.00
What are alternatives to Kevzara (sarilumab)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Kevzara (sarilumab). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Used for:
Moderate-to-severe inflammatory conditions in which other treatments haven't worked:
$3,439.69View prices
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