FDA approved Tyenne significantly cheaper biosimilar to Actemra

Posted by theroar @theroar, Sep 12, 2024

Kaiser recently switched me from Actemra to Tyenne following the FDA's approval of Tyenne in march as a biosimilar to Actemra.

My copay under medicare went from around $450 - $600 on Actemra to $110 for Tyenne.

And Tocilizumab, the official name of the drug is good stuff :-). I was able to get off prednisone over time, once I started taking it.

At first prednisone really helped with my PMR, I went through the usual cycle of 20 mg down to 5-6mg, resume of symptoms, back to 20mg, etc.

After taking Tocilizumab for 3-4 months, my symptoms, mostly fatigue, but also some pains went away. So unlike prednisone which worked for me in 1-2 days, one needs to be patient.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

jabrown0407 | @jabrown0407 | Feb 27 5:20am

In reply to @sjc123 "I have GCA, and started Actemra infusions Feb. 2025. About 3 months ago, Medicare switched the..." + (show)

@sjc123 I started Tyenne injection in Jan. I too have classic Medicare with a Plan D and Plan F. I had to get a Prior Authorization for the Tyenne injectables before I could start them. That process was not without drama, in the end it was approved. Within 6 weeks I managed to spend $2,100 on drugs and now for the remainder of the year my drugs will be of no cost to me. They got rid of the drug donut and replaced with an annual cap on the cost to a patient. This year the cap is $2,100, last year it was $2,000. The injectables provide a great deal of freedom for me to travel, which is something that brings me joy. It is worth the additional costs and other logistical concerns.