LOW WHITE BLOOD COUNT FROM KEVZARA

Hi! Yes. Kevzara tanked some of my blood markers, especially my white blood cell count. I was taken off Kevzara and put on Humira. BTW neither medication worked to ease my horrible on-going pain and bone destruction. (All from a Shingrix shot).

I was supposed to have my left shoulder replaced (reverse) last April but my surgeon had me wait many months until my count rose. Had my reverse total shoulder replacement done 10/29/25. I am finishing up with physical therapy this week. Will need to have my right shoulder replaced.

I have read in these posts, someone switched to taking Kevzara every 3 weeks and it helped to keep the blood work in check. Good luck!!

It was me who said …
“ I have read in these posts, someone switched to taking Kevzara every 3 weeks and it helped to keep the blood work in check.”
4 months later and it’s even better.
Note: I am just coming up on 1 yr, and no side effects, or other health issues. Hoping to be taken off it next week.

My rheumatologist changed my Kevzara to every 3 weeks when my platelets dropped to under 100,000 and now better 8 weeks later. My WBCs have been okay.

I'm curious to know what your actual WBC counts were. My WBCs were slightly below normal when I was first started on an IL-6 receptor blocker (Actemra). I think it happens but research suggests it isn't associated with an increased risk of infections. People on Kevzara and Actemra are still immunosuppressed. In my personal experience ... I have fewer infections on Actemra alone compared to when I was on prednisone on alone.

I had to be extra careful when I was on both Prednisone and Actemra. As I recall ... my blood WBC was low only when I was on both Actemra and Prednisone.

Two days after my first Kevzara injection my rheumatologist got all weird about my low white count. I coerced her to look at the Kevzara guidelines with me there, and I was above the “do not continue” level. She said, “oh okay, you can take your second injection but let’s keep an eye on today’s bloodwork.” It was better, still low, but safe.
I discussed it with my PCP and he said not to worry, that it was expected.

I’m definitely following this thread. Thanks for your input.