Uses of Tocilizumab:

• It is used to treat some types of arthritis.
• It is used to treat cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Tocilizumab?

• If you have an allergy to tocilizumab or any other part of tocilizumab (intravenous).
• If you are allergic to tocilizumab (intravenous); any part of tocilizumab (intravenous); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have liver disease or raised liver enzymes.
• If you have an infection.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, or rituximab.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with tocilizumab (intravenous).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take tocilizumab (intravenous) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Tocilizumab?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take tocilizumab (intravenous). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. You may be more likely to get infections.
• If you have had hepatitis B before or carry the virus, talk with your doctor. This medicine can cause the virus to become active again.
• Hepatitis B testing needs to be done as you were told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may add to the chance of getting some types of cancer. Talk with the doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Make sure you are up to date with all your vaccines before treatment with tocilizumab (intravenous).
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with tocilizumab (intravenous) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• Treatment with tocilizumab (intravenous) may lead to higher cholesterol and triglycerides. The effect of these changes on heart health is not known. Talk with the doctor.
• Some people have unsafe allergic effects or bad side effects during the infusion or within 24 hours of the infusion. Talk with the doctor.
• If your weight changes, talk with your doctor. The dose of tocilizumab (intravenous) may need to be changed.
• Liver problems have happened with tocilizumab (intravenous). Sometimes, this has been severe and has led to a liver transplant or death. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use tocilizumab (intravenous) with care. You could have more side effects.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking tocilizumab (intravenous).
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking tocilizumab (intravenous), call your doctor right away.
• If you used tocilizumab (intravenous) when you were pregnant, tell your baby's doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Tocilizumab) best taken?

Use tocilizumab (intravenous) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of nervous system problems like change in mood or actions, feeling confused, fever, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, stiff neck, bright lights bother your eyes, or very bad muscle weakness.
• A skin lump or growth.
• Change in color or size of a mole.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Change in bowel habits.
• Tears in the stomach or bowel wall have happened in certain people taking tocilizumab (intravenous). Call your doctor right away if you have swelling or pain in your stomach that is very bad, gets worse, or does not go away. Call your doctor right away if you throw up blood or have throw up that looks like coffee grounds; upset stomach or throwing up that does not go away; or black, tarry, or bloody stools.

What are some other side effects of Tocilizumab?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Signs of a common cold.
• Irritation where the shot is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Tocilizumab?

• If you need to store tocilizumab (intravenous) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time tocilizumab (intravenous) is refilled. If you have any questions about tocilizumab (intravenous), please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the new drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
• Is tocilizumab (Actemra) effective for treating COVID-19?
• What is Actemra used to treat?