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How long to take Kevzara and how to taper off Kevzara?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 28 1:14pm | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
Decreased WBC counts are observed with IL-6 inhibitors like Kevzara and Actemra. I know how disconcerting it can be. However, it is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) that is the most important.
The following excerpt from the link gelow might ease some of your concern.
"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."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7376291/
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Sometimes the decrease is transient. Holding a dose or two is usually done.
Replies to "@stonewheel Decreased WBC counts are observed with IL-6 inhibitors like Kevzara and Actemra. I know how..."
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@dadcue Thank you Mike.
I thought I had read similar research results. Perhaps some you had previously shared with me.
I was thinking that it is normal and often expected. Her reply to me about holding off on my second injection, blood testing again in Feb. and perhaps stopping Kevzara permanently is not what I want to hear.
I’m going to my PCP tomorrow to have the bloodwork done a few days sooner (8 days after the Kevzara injection) and all will be available to her before my scheduled second Kevzara self-injection. Hopefully she will tell me to continue with Kevzara as originally planned.
Thank you for your help Mike. I hope the new year is being good to you.