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PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 11 7:08am | Replies (175)Comment receiving replies
There is now an alternative to prednisone that was recently FDA approved for the treatment of PMR. It is a biologic called Kevzara (sarilumab).
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fda-approves-sarilumab-for-adults-with-polymyalgia-rheumaticaI don't have any personal experience with Kevzara. My rheumatologist was running out of options for my long term PMR. The side effects of my 12 years on prednisone were taking a toll on me.
Other medications used as steroid sparing medications like methotrexate and leflunomide didn't work very well for me. My rheumatologist tried me on Actemra (tocilizumab) 4 years ago and it worked well. After more than 12 years of prednisone daily in excess of 10 mg, I am finally off prednisone. I'm still on Actemra so I'm not medication free. My rheumatologist thinks I'm better off on Acterma instead of prednisone. I would wholeheartedly agree!
The mechanism of action of Kevzara and Actemra is basically the same. Both biologics are IL-6 receptor blockers. IL-6 related inflammation is implicated in PMR and GCA.
https://www.pmrandil6.com/il-6-and-pmr/#:~:text=IL%2D6%20is%20implicated%20in%20the%20pathogenesis%20of%20PMR&text=However%2C%20persistently%20elevated%20IL%2D6,inflammatory%20conditions%20such%20as%20PMR.Replies to "There is now an alternative to prednisone that was recently FDA approved for the treatment of..."
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Thank you so much for that information dadcue! I will definitely look into those medications and pass the information on to my family member (brother).