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Is Kevzara that has been rerefrigerated still any good?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (28)Comment receiving replies
@dadcue I thought that thought too. I did message my Rheum., but don’t have an answer yet. Does Actemra have a similar protocol?
Replies to "@dadcue I thought that thought too. I did message my Rheum., but don’t have an answer..."
@stonewheel
I have researched this recently because of the risk of power outages in my area from winter storms. I found this quote about Actemra from an Australian website:
"Once removed from the refrigerator, the pre-filled syringe can be stored up to 2 weeks (14 days) at or below 30°C. The unopened pre-filled syringe may be removed and returned to the refrigerator multiple times as long as the total length of time at or below 30°C is not more than 14 days. The pre-filled syringe must always be kept in the carton to protect from light and keep dry."
I am almost certain I found this same information in an Actemra website, but I haven't been able to find it again today.
When I google "How long can Actemra stay out of the fridge" in AI mode, it gives the same information as above, saying it can be refrigerated multiple times. But if I substitute Kevzara in that search, it says it should not be put back in the refrigerator, and should be used within 14 days.
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@stonewheel
Yes ... everything is the same for Actemra injections. All the precautions and potential side effects are the same too. I used to do Actemra injections until I switched to a monthly IV infusion. The Actemra injections worked but I like doing a monthly infusion better. I don't have to worry about the refrigeration anymore. My injections were by overnight delivery in a styrofoam container with an ice pack or two inside. Those ice packs didn't always stay frozen and so sometimes I wasn't sure how cold the injections stayed inside.
I think fatigue is common especially after the first few injections. When I did my first injections ... I didn't think they did anything at all. I wasn't convinced the injections were working for 3 months until I was able to taper Prednisone by 1 mg per week without having a PMR flare. I had to stay on 3 mg for a long time before tapering completely off because of adrenal insufficiency.