How ACTEMRA Is Given
How your child will receive ACTEMRA
If you and your child’s doctor are deciding on treating with ACTEMRA or your child is just starting ACTEMRA, it’s important to know how ACTEMRA is given.
ACTEMRA can be taken in different ways for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) symptoms
Intravenous (IV) infusion:
- This medicine is a liquid solution placed into a vein with a needle
- It is given at a doctor’s office or an infusion center every 2 weeks
- A trained healthcare professional is there to help you and your child through treatment and watch for any reactions
Subcutaneous (SC) injection:
- ACTEMRA SC is available in a prefilled syringe or the prefilled ACTPen® autoinjector
- The ACTEMRA prefilled syringe is a single-dose and is manually injected
- The single-dose ACTPen autoinjector is a pen-like autoinjector that keeps the needle tip shielded before the injection, allowing you to inject by holding down a button
- If your doctor decides that you or another caregiver can give injections at home, you or the caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject ACTEMRA. Do not try to inject ACTEMRA until you have been shown the right way to give the injections by your doctor
- When injecting ACTEMRA SC, pediatric patients may self-inject if both the healthcare provider and parent/legal guardian find it appropriate. Caregivers may inject pediatric patients with either the prefilled syringe or the ACTPen autoinjector.
For a step-by-step guide on how to inject ACTEMRA SC, download the FDA-approved Instructions for Use. The first injection should be done under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Click here to see the most important things you should know about ACTEMRA.
What to know about ACTEMRA IV infusions
Where to receive infusions: IV infusions are given to your child once every 2 weeks at a doctor’s office or at an infusion center.
How dosing is managed: Your child’s doctor may change your child’s dose depending on their response to treatment, or a change in body weight.
How your child will receive the infusion: Your child will sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on a cot or bed.
How long the infusion will take: Your child’s IV infusion will last about 1 hour.
How infusions are given: ACTEMRA IV is given by needle directly into your child’s vein.
Look out for side effects: Irritation or other injection site reactions from the infusion may occur. A doctor or nurse will be there to monitor your child.
ACTEMRA IV Dosing
Children’s ACTEMRA doses are based on weight, so your child will be weighed before every infusion appointment. If your child’s weight changes, you and your child’s doctor may decide if a change of dose is necessary.
What to know about ACTEMRA SC injections
This is not a complete list of all the things to know before using the ACTEMRA prefilled syringe or the ACTPen autoinjector. Please refer to the full Instructions for Use for more information.
Learning how to inject: You’ll be trained by your child’s doctor or nurse–they’ll make sure you feel comfortable giving your child his or her medicine. SJIA patients will be trained on self-injection with ACTEMRA if both you and the doctor find it appropriate.
Where to inject: ACTEMRA is injected into areas such as the belly or upper thigh, directly under the skin, but no deeper.
Prefilled syringe:
Total injection time is about 35 minutes.
- The syringe needs 30 minutes to warm up
- It takes about 5 minutes to prepare, inject, and dispose of syringe
ACTPen autoinjector:
Total injection time is about 50 minutes.
- The ACTPen autoinjector needs 45 minutes to warm up
- It takes about 5 minutes to prepare, inject, and dispose of the ACTPen autoinjector
When to inject: Your child’s doctor will tell you if an injection should be given once every week or once every 2 weeks. This is based on weight, but it may change depending on how your child responds to treatment.
Look out for side effects: Serious allergic reactions may occur. Please seek immediate medical attention if your child starts to experience any serious allergic reaction, including:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Swelling of lips, tongue, or face
- Chest pain
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Moderate or severe stomach pain or vomiting
ACTEMRA SC Dosing
How often your child is given ACTEMRA is based on weight, so your child will be weighed at every office visit. If your child’s weight changes, you and your child’s doctor may decide if a change in dosing schedule is necessary.
Important Side Effect Information | Liver problems (Hepatotoxicity)
Some people have experienced serious life-threatening liver problems, which required liver transplant or led to death. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking ACTEMRA if you develop new or worsening liver problems during treatment with ACTEMRA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- feeling tired (fatigue)
- lack of appetite for several days or longer (anorexia)
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- abdominal swelling and pain on the right side of the stomach-area
- light colored stools
- weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- confusion
- dark “tea-colored” urine
Please see Important Safety and Side Effect Information. For additional Important Safety Information, please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, Instructions for Use and Medication Guide.
Look out for side effects
Remember to keep an eye out for any side effects during and after your child’s infusion or injection. Allergic reactions may happen even if they have not happened before.
These reactions could include shortness of breath or trouble breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; chest pain; feeling dizzy or faint; or moderate or severe abdominal pain or vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away and contact a doctor if your child experiences any treatment reactions.
Order your free ACTEMRA travel pack and sharps container
To receive a free ACTEMRA travel pack and sharps container for safe disposal of ACTEMRA syringes and ACTPen autoinjectors, call 1-800-ACTEMRA (1-800-228-3672).