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@dadcue

Actemra is FDA approved for GCA only.

Kevzara is FDA approved for PMR only.

Either of these biologics can be used in the United States if a patient has both PMR and GCA. Both biologics are expensive so they are not used very often unless there are "extenuating circumstances." Having a diagnosis of osteoporosis would be an extenuating circumstance.

You really shouldn't be on prednisone with known osteoporosis unless it is for the shortest amount of time as possible.
https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/treatment-and-care/medications/guidelines-to-prevent-osteoporosis-from-steroids/
Being a relatively young male when PMR was diagnosed, my risk of osteoporosis wasn't too high. I was somewhat embarrassed whenever my rheumatologist wanted to check my bone density. However, I had other complications from long term prednisone use.

My "extenuating circumstance" was long term prednisone use and no other alternative medication worked well. After Actemra was started, I got off prednisone and several other medications which were being used to treat prednisone side effects.

These biologics don't work for everyone so that's why I usually say it depends on every person's individual circumstances. I should add that it also depends on your health care systems, insurance companies and governments.

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Replies to "Actemra is FDA approved for GCA only. Kevzara is FDA approved for PMR only. Either of..."

At present, I have no choice but to take prednisone, even with osteoporosis, since it's either that or live in excruciating pain from the PMR. I am doing everything I can to help mitigate further bone loss -- I am on a bisphosphonate medication (one tablet weekly) and am taking a high end calcium supplement and 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day. I eat as many calcium-rich foods as I can and get daily weight-bearing exercise in the form of walking and Tai chi. There's not much more I can do except hope for the best. However, I will definitely ask my doctor about any alternatives to prednisone if it seems like I'm going to have to stay on some kind of PMR medication over the long term, which I likely will. I've been taking 15 mg of prednisone a day for almost three months now, but am now trying to taper down by 1 mg at a time. Hopefully, I'll be successful with that, although it's going to take a long time.