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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caroljeand | @caroljeand | Jan 20 10:55am

My problem is the pain and tenderness in the right thigh for days after the injection. Have had three injections in that thigh, the first hurting for almost a week later, the second not so much, the third hurting like it’s bruised for days. The two injections in the left thigh have not been a problem. At least this week’s injection is in the right thigh. Hard to look forward to injecting myself. 😵‍💫

kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jan 21 9:44am

I’m a 73 year old female diagnosed with PMR in September 2024. Was first on Prednisone for 6 months then methotrexate. Now on 4 methotrexate a week and two 200 ml self injecting pens of Kevzara since July 2025. The Kevzara has worked very well for my PMR symptoms and was pleased that the pen needle was pretty painless but even setting the pen out at room temperature overnight, the pain of the serum going in continues to be very painful Also after 12 injections, I still have itching and a large red patch from the injection site that lasts about 10 days. I had been giving myself injections in my abdomen and the redness covered almost my whole abdomen. I had my husband give me my latest injection in my left upper arm to see if there was a difference plus my waistband rubbed the red itchy area. Within 5 minutes I felt itching, after an hour I had a 2 inch warm red slightly swollen patch and after 8 hours the patch extended to 7 inches. Has anyone had similar issues? Has anyone found a way to relieve this side effect? Thanks in advance!

kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jan 21 9:46am

In reply to @kwahearn "I’m a 73 year old female diagnosed with PMR in September 2024. Was first on Prednisone..." + (show)

@kwahearn Here is a photo of latest Kevzara injection.

lindaadele | @lindaadele | Jan 21 10:30am

In reply to @kwahearn "@kwahearn Here is a photo of latest Kevzara injection." + (show)

@kwahearn you know just looking at that photo that you put out on our website. What I would do is speak to my doctor immediately and give your side effects. I myself do not know much about this situation but it looks like it’s a possibility it’s an allergic reaction but I have no idea not being a doctor. Good luck to you going forward I hope you feel better soon!!!

kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jan 21 1:24pm

In reply to @lindaadele "@kwahearn you know just looking at that photo that you put out on our website. What..." + (show)

@lindaadele Thank you!

tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | Jan 21 6:28pm

In reply to @kwahearn "I’m a 73 year old female diagnosed with PMR in September 2024. Was first on Prednisone..." + (show)

@kwahearn
Reach out to the company Kevzara ,,I.e., call them

kwahearn | @kwahearn | Jan 21 8:23pm

In reply to @tweetypie13 "@kwahearn Reach out to the company Kevzara ,,I.e., call them" + (show)

@tweetypie13 Will do.

caroljeand | @caroljeand | Jan 22 11:07am

Any Kevzara users on here have the pen cap pull off the needle?
Happened today and kevzara said they can’t replace because my assistance was over in December and still haven’t gotten approval for 2026. Was told to contact my doctor for samples. Waiting to hear back. In limbo for the time being.

stonewheel | @stonewheel | Jan 22 10:57pm

I got my first one the dsy before yesterday. The good advise on this thread helped, I think.
No pain at all.
I took the Kevzara out of the refrigerator, 30 minutes before I left, put it (the preloaded pen dispenser) in my arm pit under my shirt. I drove 45 minutes to my doctor’s office. She watched as I did my first injection. I pinched an inch of belly fat, 4 inches away from my navel and injected. I felt zero pain. Nothing.
Perhaps its temperature was very close to my body temperature and the reason for no pain.
Just thinking out loud. Hope this helps. You all hepled me think up this method.
I hope your experience goes better next time.

mikeydee | @mikeydee | Jan 23 9:22am

In reply to @stonewheel "I got my first one the dsy before yesterday. The good advise on this thread helped,..." + (show)

@stonewheel I do the same ... "I pinched an inch of belly fat, 4 inches away from my navel and injected."I feel localized pain as the kevzara enters my body but it goes away very quickly after the injection... No other issues with the injection... I think the secret is to inject into your body fat...