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Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR
I am 54, diagnosed with PMR June 2022 but symptoms started Nov 2021. I have tapered Pred to 8mg and most days my pain is around a 2 or 3 out of 10. Reasonable, I felt for active PMR and I'll take Tylenol Arthritis to help with pain if needed. But, my Rheumatologist wants me off Pred ASAP. He wants me to take Kevzara and says studies have shown that it gets rid of PMR and the drug should be approved to treat PMR by this spring. Has anyone been part of the trials and/or had experience using this drug to treat PMR?
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@dadcue Whoa - not sure how I led you to believe that I had a history of diverticulitis.
I was told the same thing you were told. I had not previously had diverticulitis, so I passed that hurdle, as well as the TB blood test and all the other showstopper concerns. My doctors were very straight arrow on "do you qualify?". I say "doctors" because I have my treating Rheumy and a consulting Rheumy at a leading teaching hospital. The hospital system has stellar credentials with treating Vasculitis (GCA) and PMR. Their GCA Vasculitis clinic is possibly the best in the US.
I even pinged my GI doctor and he green lighted it before I started my injections. Actually, when I had the diverticulitis, he was of the opinion that I really did not need to stop the Tyenne but my Rx Rheumy was not swayed at all!
Bowel perforation is a real risk of the IL-6 inhibitors and it is clear to me that Rheumy's don't want it on their watch. As the patient, I certainly don't want it as the result of treating anything!
@jabrown0407
You wrote:
"I had diverticulitis while on Tyenne and my Rheumy now wants me to take Kevzara."
I thought you meant you were going to switch from Tyenne to Kevzara after having diverticulitis.
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There seems to be some people who are started in IL-6 inhibitors who don't know if they have diverticulosis or maybe have had a bout of diverticulitis in the past.
I was asked about "any GI history" when I was started on Actemra. I was never told that I did but I certainly had an intestinal infection which triggered reactive arthritis. I also had a long 30 year history of corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs which are also known to increase risk of GI perforation. My rheumatologist only looked at my most recent colonoscopy and took my word for it that I didn't have any GI issues. Otherwise it is highly recommended to have a thorough GI evaluation prior to starting IL-6 inhibitors.