R R

What Is Actemra?

Actemra is the product name for tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the interleukin-6 receptor. It is used for rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, severe or life-threatening CAR T-cell-induced cytokine release syndrome, and selected hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Actemra comes in intravenous and subcutaneous formulations for specific indications.

Link to This Resource Page

Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.

To display this...

What Is Actemra?

Actemra is the product name for tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the interleukin-6 receptor. It is used for rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, severe or life-threatening CAR T-cell-induced cytokine release syndrome, and selected hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Actemra comes in intravenous and subcutaneous formulations for specific indications.

read more about actemra ...

Copy this HTML:

Copy HTML Copied!

How Does Actemra Work?

Actemra binds to soluble and membrane-bound interleukin-6 receptors and blocks IL-6 signaling. IL-6 is an immune signaling protein involved in inflammation, fever, and immune-cell activity. Reducing this signaling can lessen inflammatory activity in autoimmune disease and cytokine release syndrome. The same immune effects also raise infection risk, which is why screening and laboratory monitoring form part of treatment.

What Is Actemra Used For?

Actemra is approved for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. It is also used in patients age 2 and older with polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and CAR T-cell-induced severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome. A separate indication covers selected hospitalized patients age 2 and older with COVID-19 who meet labeled respiratory and corticosteroid criteria.

How Is Actemra Given?

Actemra is administered by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection, depending on the condition, age, body weight, and prescribed regimen. Some subcutaneous doses are given with a prefilled syringe or ACTPen device after proper training. Intravenous dosing is handled in a clinical setting. Treatment schedules range from weekly injections to infusions spaced several weeks apart, depending on the indication.

What Are the Side Effects and Warnings?

Actemra carries a boxed warning for serious infections, including tuberculosis and invasive fungal, bacterial, viral, or opportunistic infections. Other risks include liver injury, gastrointestinal perforation, low neutrophil or platelet counts, elevated liver enzymes, increased blood lipids, and hypersensitivity reactions. Live vaccines are avoided during treatment. Fever, persistent cough, severe abdominal pain, jaundice, or signs of infection need medical review.

Frequently Asked Questions About Actemra

Is Actemra a steroid?

No. Actemra is a biologic medicine called an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist. It works differently from corticosteroids and targets IL-6 signaling.

Is Actemra given by injection or infusion?

Both routes are used. Actemra comes as an intravenous infusion and as a subcutaneous injection, with the route selected according to the indication.

Does Actemra increase infection risk?

Yes. Blocking IL-6 activity can reduce immune defenses against infection. Actemra carries a boxed warning for serious infections, including tuberculosis.

Is Actemra used for COVID-19?

Yes. Actemra has a labeled use for selected hospitalized adults and children age 2 and older who receive systemic corticosteroids and meet specified respiratory criteria.

References

ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) Prescribing Information. https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/actemra_prescribing.pdf. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

ACTEMRA Medication Guide. https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/actemra_medguide.pdf. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

DailyMed - ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) Injection. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2e5365ff-cb2a-4b16-b2c7-e35c6bf2de13. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

FDA Label - ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) Injection. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/125276s149lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Tocilizumab Injection. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611004.html. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.