Kevzara Experiences

Posted by catherine71655 @catherine71655, 20 hours ago

My doc wants me to start Kevzara. What should I expect? What have you experienced?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 18 hours ago

Welcome @catherine71655, You might find these related discussions helpful:
-- Anyone tried Kevzara for PMR?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kevzara-3/
-- Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kevzara-sarilumab-to-treat-pmr/
-- Starting KEVZARA: Anyone experience side effects?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/starting-kevzara/

How long have you had PMR? Are you trying to get off of prednisone?

Mike | @dadcue | 17 hours ago

Mayo Connect is a good resource. There are many people in the USA being started on Kevzara to treat PMR. It isn't being used in other countries that much. Depending on your perspective, we are fortunate.

I had a fantastic response to Actemra (tocilizumab) which is another IL-6 inhibitor similar to Kevzara. After 12 years of Prednisone with many prednisone related complications, my quality of life has improved. I have been off Prednisone for almost 5 years.

My experience might not translate to Kevzara so I look forward to the responses you receive from people who are actually on Kevzara.

The only thing that my rheumatologist said to me before starting Actemra was that I wouldn't know if any biologic medication works or not unless I tried it to see. Also, the response to any biologic isn't immediate. You will still need to taper off Prednisone slowly. It took more than a year to taper off Prednisone after Actemra was started. Some of the time needed to taper off prednisone was because of adrenal insufficiency which was another complication from long term Prednisone use.