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Biological drugs for treatment.
Has anyone used a biological drug as treatment, instead of prednisone?
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Has anyone used a biological drug as treatment, instead of prednisone?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.
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It depends on which biologic and which autoimmune disorder. There aren't too many biologics that have been FDA approved for PMR or GCA but that is starting to change. Treatment for PMR and GCA with prednisone hasn't changed very much in more than 50 years. That is beginning to change.
https://www.healio.com/news/rheumatology/20250220/tsunami-of-effortbrings-biologics-to-the-forefront-in-giant-cell-arteritis-pmr
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Modern Additions to Treatment:
Sarilumab (Kevzara): Approved by the FDA as the first biologic therapy specifically for adults with PMR.
Tocilizumab (Actemra): A biologic targeting IL-6 receptors and FDA approved to treat GCA. There are several biosimilar versions of Actemra which are also FDA approved for GCA.
Upadacitinib (Rinvog): An oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for GCA but technically, this isn't a biologic.
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For PMR the following link might be interesting:
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/clinical/beyond-steroids-pmr
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6 ReactionsI've transitioned from 25mg prednisone to kevzara due to an SMM diagnosis. I was at 6mg prednisone when I took my first shot last week. I'm continuing my prednisone tapering. My rheumatologist prescribed 3mg LDN to help bridge the change while I did a fast taper off prednisone. I liked the prednisone because it helped control more than just my PMR inflammation but I also knew that it could have serious side effects.
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1 ReactionThe biological drugs are targeting interleukin 6.
IL-6 levels can be tested at referral labs.
When PMR is active IL-6 is often elevated.
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3 ReactionsI'm only on Kevzara since February of 2026, when I took my last dose of Prednisone. The Kevzara has worked great.
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1 ReactionGlad to hear that Kevzara is working so well for you. Did you find that the Kevzara replaced prednisone immediately or did it take a few injections for the Kevzara to work? How quickly did you cone off prednisone?
@lynnfromoro search this site…lots of info on Kevzara and prednisone. Also Kevzara website online.
Kevzara usually takes a while to kick in, up to 3 months.
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