Painful Kevzara Injection

Posted by kwahearn @kwahearn, Jul 13, 2025

I'm a 73-year-old female in otherwise good health, but was diagnosed with PMR in August 2024. After tapering down from 20 mg/day Prednisone to zero, then taking methotrexate (8- 2.5 tablets weekly), I had my first Kevzara injection last week. I was pleased that the self-injection pen needle did not hurt very much, but I was shocked at how painful the medicine was as it entered the subcutaneous layer of my abdomen. (I had set it out from the refrigerator for 2 hours prior to injection.) Has anyone else had the same pain?

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devou56 | @devou56 | Jul 23, 2025

My rheumatologist told me to take 1000mg Tylenol and 1 Claritin an hour before my Kevzara. It really helped the pain

janiceellen | @janiceellen | Jul 23, 2025

In reply to @kwahearn "I left it out overnight in a warm room and had negligible pain this time! Thanks..." + (show)

Thank you for the hints for injection of kevzara!
I am on 3 mg pred now after 2 years of up and down tapering . I start kevzara Friday. Can anyone give me an idea what kind of relief you experienced. I’m hoping the drug will help considerably . I was on methotrexate also w the pred and caused a lot of fatigue . It’s been a roller coaster .

janiceellen | @janiceellen | Jul 23, 2025

In reply to @kwahearn "I left it out overnight in a warm room and had negligible pain this time! Thanks..." + (show)

I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!

tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jul 23, 2025

In reply to @janiceellen "I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!" + (show)

Relief, I did not have a lot of discomfort when I started. So relief was more mental than physical. Keep in mind it takes up to 3 months to be effective (they say).
Good luck
PS: I was at 8mg prednisone, am at “0” now , self taper. I have had 9 injections (18 weeks) and am 79 yo woman.

kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jul 23, 2025

In reply to @devou56 "My rheumatologist told me to take 1000mg Tylenol and 1 Claritin an hour before my Kevzara...." + (show)

Sounds like good advice.

kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jul 23, 2025

In reply to @janiceellen "I’m starting kevzara , what kind of relief did you experience? Looking forward to relief!" + (show)

With just 2 injections, so far, I haven't yet felt relief from the PMR, but having warmer serum was a big help with the injection pain.

groksvaag | @groksvaag | Jul 24, 2025

On Kevzara for 20 weeks now. Have never had any pain from injection into abdomen.

biowicks | @biowicks | Jan 16 6:52pm

I used the Kevara autoinject pen today for the first time. Like you, I was pleased with how little pain was triggered by the needle. However, once the medication started to dispense, I started screeching from the pain. It was very difficult to keep pressing the pen for the 15 seconds necessary to inject all the medication. I'm not looking forward to doing this every two weeks. And, I think the manufacturer has a duty to warn us about this. If I'd known what was coming, for me it would have been easier.

tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jan 16 7:56pm

In reply to @biowicks "I used the Kevara autoinject pen today for the first time. Like you, I was pleased..." + (show)

@biowicks
I have given myself 40 shots and no pain….
Check the Kevzara site for correct steps to follow. Room temperature? Etc.

aussiedogmom | @aussiedogmom | Jan 17 8:31am

Are you timing how long the syringe sits at room temp before injection? It needs to be at least one full hour. Injections are painless, Im on my 2nd year.