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Any experiences with Kevzara (sarilumab)?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 24 4:42pm | Replies (30)

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I'm not taking Kevzara but I have experienced neutropenia on Actemra. The more critical value is the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) and not pecentage neutrophils. ANC is the crucial measure of infection-fighting white blood cells (neutrophils).

My neutropenia was transient and my ANC wasn't so low that I was at risk of an infection. You just need to wait and see what happens. Your doctor did the right thing going to an injection every 3 weeks. Adjusting the time between injections is sometimes all that is needed.
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The following link provides more details:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7376291/
"Decreased absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is observed within hours following administration of interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) inhibitors sarilumab and tocilizumab. This decrease is not associated with increased risk of infection. Emerging evidence suggests the effects of IL‐6R inhibitors on ANC are due to margination of circulating neutrophils into a rapidly mobilizable noncirculating pool without loss of function, rather than a decreased overall number of neutrophils in the body."

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Replies to "I'm not taking Kevzara but I have experienced neutropenia on Actemra. The more critical value is..."

I can't thank you enough for your input. I'm new to this, having been recently diagnosed. I had a spinal fusion surgery before I knew I had PMR. I am not allowed to take prednisone because of it. So if the Kevzara doesn't work out,, I don't know what I will be able to take. Do you take any vitamin supplements like B12? I am just trying to do all I can to get to remission. Thank you again!

You offer the best information. Thank you.