Kevzara and Prednisone Tapering before and during Kevzara

I'm assuming your "off label" use of Actemra is for PMR since it isn't FDA approved for PMR. There is no guarantee that Actemra will work for everyone with PMR. The SEMAPHORE study reports 49% of patients in the Actemra group no longer needed Prednisone.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/generalrheumatology/100815#:~:text=About%20half%20of%20patients%20with,Brest%2C%20France%2C%20and%20colleagues.
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I was lucky to have tried Actemra for PMR. I was able to taper off Prednisone after about a year. Actemra takes about 3 months to be fully effective. I was able to taper from 10 mg to 3 mg of prednisone in 4 months. I had to stay on 3 mg for another 6 months because of secondary adrenal insufficiency which was a side effect from taking Prednisone for 12 years to treat PMR. Adrenal insufficiency could be one reason why Actemra isn't allowing you to taper off Prednisone.

After I tapered off prednisone I had a flare of another autoimmune disorder and needed to take Prednisone again. Having other conditions in addition to PMR may be another reason why you can't taper off Prednisone.

It is possible that you were misdiagnosed and you don't have PMR.

Maybe you do have PMR but Actemra doesn't work for you since IL-6 isn't your primary inflammation pathway.

Remember that half the people with PMR who were trialed on Actemra weren't able to taper off Prednisone. If you aren't able to taper off Prednisone ... have you been able to reduce your Prednisone dose substantially?

I have been Prednisone free for 4 years. Actemra has been extremely effective for me.

Kevzara taper? I have tapered off of prednisone while using Kevzara.
At what point does the Dr, start a taper for Kevzara?
And do you know how it works?
Thx

Kevzara taper? I have tapered off of prednisone while using Kevzara.
At what point does the Dr, start a taper for Kevzara?
And do you know how it works?
Thx

The decision to discontinue Kevzara is made by your doctor. No tapering is needed like prednisone is tapered. Kevzara doesn't cause adrenal suppression. There is no risk of an adrenal crisis like there is for prednisone when it is stopped abruptly.

The only risk of stopping Kevzara too soon is the possibility of a relapse although symptoms shouldn't return suddenly. Sometimes the time between injections is extended to see if your symptoms start to return.

I've been on Kevzara for 2 months and was at 5 mg prednisone when started. I've tapered to 4, 4, 3, rotating. The Kevzara has helped I believe with no side affects, although just within the last month. I'm hoping to get off prednisone in the next 1-2 months and be on Kevzara only. Hope this info helps you. Only pain I'm having now is hip pain when standing too long, and shortness of breath. But I also have A-Flutter and it may be responsible for the shortness of breath.

Hey Mike @mikeydee
I can’t answer your questions above because I’m on on prednisone rn, but my rheumatologist has been recommending for a while now that I go on Kevzara. Frankly the list of side affects scares the heck out of me, and I’m wondering if you felt the same way but chose to go on it anyway. I’m having a very difficult time getting off the prednisone after more than two years. In December I was down to 2 mg but had severe flare ups that I went back to 10. I’m now down to 5 mg but not doing well and hence the recommendation from my Dr to get on Kevzara.
Any feedback on this subject is greatly appreciated from anyone who has used Kevzara. Thank you!

Kevzara……Lucky me, no side effects, except a minor rash where I place injection occasionally. Note: I use some lotion on it, no big deal. I’m abt to have my 9th dose.
I resisted taking “another” drug. At no point did I understand that it would allow me to “get off of prednisone”. I had been stuck at 7-9 prednisone for a few months, when I started. I have self tapered. No flares, but did/do have some muscle overuse.
GREAT NEWS, took my LAST prednisone 1mg yesterday.
May my success continue and come your way too.
I am so grateful for this Group.