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New Diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica (Husband)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Feb 29 2:49pm | Replies (102)Comment receiving replies
Methotrexate is commonly used in Australia for PMR patients who do not respond well to Prednisone or are having difficulty tapering. It is a requirement under our health care system that the cheaper DMARDS are tried for at least 6 months before an application is made for Actemra to be approved under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. If you want to bypass this frustrating process you have to pay over $4000 per month to access the medication.
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Methotrexate is commonly used in the USA too. Actemra isn't used so much because it hasn't been FDA approved to treat PMR. My rheumatologist requested a waiver to get Actemra for me because I was diagnosed with PMR but not GCA.
Actemra worked for me and I was able to taper off prednisone. There are no restrictions for how long I can be on Actemra. I currently do a monthly infusion. The way it is administered is left to the discretion of my doctor.
Kevzara is now FDA approved for PMR. For Kevzara, no approval is necessary. It would depend on the type of medical insurance a person has which would dictate how much of the cost is covered by their insurance.