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Actemra Infusion Therapy

Discover why thousands of patients choose Haven Infusion as their preferred place to receive infusions and injections.

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What is Actemra?

Actemra (tocilizumab) is a biologic therapy that is approved to treat:

Rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe)
Giant cell arteritis
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Cytokine release syndrome (from CAR-T therapy)

Actemra works by blocking a protein called IL-6 that contributes to inflammation in these conditions. In simpler terms, it helps “turn down” overactive immune responses that cause symptoms.

Actemra and Its Biosimilars

You may see or hear of other products also called tocilizumab. These might include:

Tofidence (tocilizumab-bavi)
Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg)
Avtozma (tocilizumab-anoh)

These are called “biosimilars” which are highly similar (though not strictly identical) to Actemra. The FDA considers them to have similar safety and efficacy as Actemra. Many insurance plans will require usage of biosimilars instead of Actemra because they have lower cost.

Different plans may prefer different biosimilars, though, so just be aware you may see different product names. Haven will work with your doctor to find the right product given your insurance coverage.

How Often Do I Need Actemra Infusions?

Patients typically receive Actemra infusions every 4 weeks.

Each appointment usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, broken down approximately as follows:

Check-in & forms: ~10-15 min
Preparation: ~5–10 min
Medication administration: ~30-45 min
Post-treatment monitoring: ~15-30 min

How Do I Prepare for My Actemra Infusion?

Here’s how you should prepare for your appointment:

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Medical History Review: Ensure your healthcare provider has a complete and up-to-date medical history, including any allergies, current medications, and past reactions to other medications. Your doctor will have sent these records to Haven Infusion beforehand.
Pre-Appointment Testing: Complete any required blood tests or other pre-appointment tests as recommended by your healthcare provider. Actemra may require regular liver function and tuberculosis tests.

Pre-Infusion Medications

Prescription Pre-Medications: You may require pre-medications to reduce the risk of a reaction or adverse event. Your referring provider will include any pre-medications when sending in your prescription order to Haven. Your Haven Infusion clinician will have these ready for you as part of your appointment.
Regular Medications: If you take other medications on a regular basis, be sure to consult with your doctor to see if you need to change how you take them while on Actemra.

Hydration and Nutrition

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your infusion to ensure you are well-hydrated. If you are a regular caffeine drinker, go lighter the morning of, since caffeine is dehydrating.
Eat Light: Have a light meal before your infusion to help maintain your energy levels during the procedure.
Prepare for Comfort
Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to your arms for the infusion site.
Entertainment: Bring whatever you would like to keep you occupied, such as a book, tablet, or music.

Plan for Transportation

Arrange a Ride: Depending on the medication and your reaction to the infusion, you might not feel well enough to drive yourself home. Consider arranging for someone to drive you or use a ride service.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your infusion is as safe and comfortable as possible. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare team.

Does Actemra Have Any Side Effects?

Most patients tolerate Actemra well. If a patient does have side effects, the most common ones are upper respiratory infections (cold symptoms), headache and high blood pressure.

If you have concerns about side effects, please feel free to discuss them with your doctor before starting treatment. As a specialist in infusion care, Haven Infusion operates with comprehensive and well-established safety protocols, and we are happy to share them with you.

How Much Does Actemra Cost?

Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan. Our goal is to lower your out-of-pocket costs as much as possible. When your doctor sends us your information, we will verify your benefits and help you find assistance programs that you qualify for.

We always review your expected out-of-pocket costs with you before scheduling your first appointment to ensure full transparency. And, if you have any questions or need help understanding how your insurance works, feel free to ask.