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Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 24 6:34am | Replies (162)Comment receiving replies
Almost 9 years of PMR. After several flares, I’m on 5 mg prednisone and 12.5 methotrexate. At first, the methotrexate brought my CRP and Sed rate to normal levels but suddenly in October had the most recent flare and still have moderate neck pain. My rheumatologist wants me to start on Kevzara and I’m wondering about other people’s experiences. (I had endometrial cancer 8 years ago so a little concerned)
Replies to "Almost 9 years of PMR. After several flares, I’m on 5 mg prednisone and 12.5 methotrexate...."
Hello @rayabw, You will notice that we moved your post into an existing discussion on the same topic here. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can read what others have shared about Kevzara:
--- Kevzara (sarilumab) to treat PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kevzara-sarilumab-to-treat-pmr/
You may also want to take a peek at the following related discussion:
--- Starting treatment with Kevzara: My journey: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/first-dose-of-kevzara/
It sounds like you have had a long struggle with PMR. Do you keep a daily pain log and dosage to track your symptoms?
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Kevzara is FDA approved for PMR.
I started a similar biologic called Actemra after 12 years of PMR. My rheumatologist said Actemra was probably my best hope of ever getting off prednisone and added that I was "too young" (65 years old) and "too healthy" to take prednisone for the rest of my life. I wasn't sure that I was that healthy but things have improved dramatically after I got off prednisone.
Both Kevzara (sarilumab) and Actemra (tocilizumab) are biologics called IL-6 receptor antagonists.
https://www.rheumatologyadvisor.com/howtotreat/role-of-il6-receptor-antagonists-for-ra-management/
Kevzara is FDA approved for PMR.
Actemra is FDA approved for GCA.
Neither biologic comes with any guarantees. They also have the potential for serious side effects. Having been on long term prednisone, I also had serious side effects from prednisone.
Actemra worked for me ... I was off prednisone a year after starting Actemra. My rheumatologist believes I'm better being off prednisone and on Actemra instead. I would have to say that assessment is true.
I still do Actemra infusions every 5 weeks. I'm not completely "cured." I just don't seem to have all the problems associated with long term prednisone use. I haven't had any flares of anything for 2 years. The flares I had were when my Actemra dose wasn't adequate and once again when Actemra was stopped because of problems with the supply chain.