User Reviews for Actemra intravenous

Cannot say enough good things about this drug. Where nothing else worked (embril, humera, metho, symponi, and of course prednisone) actemra has truly put things back to normal. Going in for the infusions is a pain, but completely worth it. I went from barely being able to walk at 29yrs to being very active at 31 and even going for multi mile runs! No side effects as far as I can tell, maybe sleeping extra soundly the day of the infusion.

Started with JRA at 2yrs old about 31 years ago. Today I am still fighting the activity and pain from destroyed joints. Back when I was younger they would give aspirin and gold, and today I am paying for it. Every time a new drug would come out I would go on it. It resulted in either bad side effects or lack of effectiveness. Taking prednisone most of my life has killed my body, so I'm forced to be on a lower dose. I can no longer walk and am at the mercy of my loved ones. So when you add everything up, along with other diseases I've picked up over the years, it is hard to judge what is doing what. The only thing I can go by is how I feel! So, on actemra, at the beginning I felt some relief in my neck and ankles. I was hoping that it just needed more time to accumulate in my body. I was wrong. It didn't get any better. In fact, I never needed a calender to tell me my next infusion date because my body did it for me. Around a week before infusion time I would get so achy, and could not get out of bed. The only great thing about Actemra was the lack of severe side effects. I mean of course, their are always side effects, it's part of life when on RA drugs! However, the only side effect I had was being extremely tired after the infusion. So, in result, I totally wrote too much that no one will ever read! I just wanted you to understand that this is my story with Actemra. My story, my body! Just because it didn't work for me does not mean the same for you. We all have taken different paths with our disease... Maybe this path is right for you! Read More Read Less

Diagnosed with RA recently but have been actually living with it for many many years and untreated until my hands were starting to cramp and become disfigured I had to do something and also the fatigue was making me a zombie daily and the pain was overwhelming. Methotraxate made me more ill and coma like, Sulfasalize didn't help at all and gave me rashes, but Actemra has been making me like new after my first dose. I was nervous about taking it because I suffer from alot of severe sinus infections due to my immune system attacking me instead of the real bacteria or viruses but my infections are completely gone now and I am also on Bactrim DS as a co-drug. I have energy like I was 15 and my feet and ankles and hips and neck and elbows and hands and back all affected are so much better and I actually can climb stairs without pain! I hope I can keep from getting any of the other side effects such as high liver enyzemes as I imagine I would be on this drug for awhile .... :)Read More Read Less

Updating my post of 11/25/13. Did more research and discovered that the unacceptable side effects are not caused by the Arava. They are from the Actemra. 4 weeks from first injection I have severe blistering boils on several places that are taking 3X as long to heal as regular boils. I also have a rash on my face now. These are completely unacceptable side effects for a drug that has done nothing for the pain. I do realize that many RA drugs take ~12 weeks for full effect, but practically zero effect plus the intense pain and the awful side effects = not for me. I will be petitioning my doctor to put me back on Enbrel. It wasn't the best, but it helped enough to get me through the day with pain I could handle.Read More Read Less

first dose 3 weeks ago because Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Orencia, Xeljanz no longer work. Took methylprednisolone for 3 straight months, which helped somewhat. Was on methotrexate, but it caused cluster migraines and vomiting. Tried Arava but it caused severe blistering boils. Tossed it 2 weeks ago but still getting that side effect. Not Happy. The Actemra decreased my sed rate to single digits--first time in 14 years. But the pain is so severe I'm now on Loritabs just to get out of bed in the morning. It's like the only effect of Actemra is the sed rate. I'm gong to try to put up with it for at least 2 more doses, but I cannot tolerate this level of constant pain. I'll make my doctor switch me back to Enbrel, because with that the pain and swelling were somewhat tolerable with the methyl and now that I have the Loritabs. Will update this review or add a new one if things change.Read More Read Less

Has anyone had a problem with hair loss?

Going on 9 months of using Actemra for RA.. It has worked extremely well for me! No joint swelling and back to normal walking (daily). Prior to Actemra, I spent a year with Enbrel/ Methotrexate, which was 50% effective, but gave me side effects (nasty rash and bowel problems). With Actemra I feel like I'm in total remission!

Was taking this for over 4 yrs (2 of which was case study) and after too many bad side affects from too many oral meds, was amazed by the GREAT results of Actemra. Had to stop over a year ago: gastro-intestinal problem....had 2' of intestine removed after it burst. Under side effects, this is a possibility when taken w/Methotrexate..."may aggravate diverticula, and penetrate stomach wall or intestine", which it did, apparently Had terrible abdominal pains Mar - Oct till I had surgery. Since starting drug, have had two fractured vertebrae, and am experiencing some atrophy in my feet. I am afraid to take anything now! I was fatigued, was 'cold' even in 70 degree weather, not to mention raised colesterol, liver count, and immune system compromised. If it works for you, great, but I can't begin to afford what it costs after insurance. I'm still paying for 2011 services!!!Read More Read Less

I started this drug in may of 2013. I have had to joint pain or inflammation. I was in Constance pain . I have used every thing. Remicade, humaria two different injection type drugs . I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years.

Doesn't last the month . First week and half works great. But doesn't stop more damage joints

Doesn't seem to be helping. Liver enzymes high. Dr. canceled last infusion. Now in limbo.

try many other meds that didn't help me.this new meds actemra has really help.

I have been on this drug for 17 mths. I have infusions every 21 days and it has giving me my life back. I no longer have to take metotrexate or predisone. I have a little bit of stiffness and pain a couple of days before treatment and my skin on my arms is thinning but other than that no problems

I have had RA for 28 years now and have been on most of the drugs asvailable. Nothing lasted very long until I entered a trial for Actemra about four years ago. I have been on it ever since and it has been great. I do notice that I am stiff the week I am due for the I/V and would probably benefit from more frequent infusions, although I don't think that is possible on our health scheme.

Ihave been an actemra for 6 years, It has helped more than any drug. I don't take anything else for RA.

Getting my 6th infusion tomorrow - so far no results. In last 2 months had 2 major flares. On Prednisone with sliding doses since dx 6 1/2 yrs ago. Had 3 doses of Rituxin, then Orencia, which was great, until it stopped working last year. Can' take DMARDS, had reactions to all of them! Same with mthx. I'm getting very depressed - any suggestions??

well after my seventh infusion this also stopped working for me. only one good week. bummer going to start the new JAK inhibitor soon. fingers crossed this works.