If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor might suggest Kevzara (sarilumab) as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication used to treat RA in some adults. You can use Kevzara if you’ve already tried another type of medication, called a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), such as Trexall (methotrexate).

Kevzara comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. If this drug works for you, you’ll likely use it long term. Kevzara is a biologic, which is a medication made from living cells.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you use Kevzara with other medications to treat your RA.

For more information about Kevzara, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Kevzara can cause mild or serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Kevzara treatment. A few of Kevzara’s more commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

You may experience mild side effects from taking Kevzara. Examples that have been reported in studies include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects are temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Kevzara unless your doctor recommends it.

Kevzara may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Kevzara prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Kevzara, visit MedWatch.

Although mild side effects are most common, it’s also possible to have serious side effects from using Kevzara. Serious side effects that have been reported include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Kevzara, call your doctor right away. If they seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* Kevzara has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects Kevzara may cause.

Serious infections

Kevzara has a boxed warning for serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

It’s possible to develop an infection while taking Kevzara, which may be serious or even life threatening. Examples of infection include pneumonia or tuberculosis (TB). In some cases, infections may lead to hospitalization.

But most people who developed infections in studies were also taking other medications that can weaken the immune system. These include:

You should not use Kevzara if you have a current infection. Symptoms of infection may include:

What might help

Be sure to tell your doctor if you develop any symptoms of infection. They can help you determine if it’s safe for you to continue Kevzara treatment. In some cases, they may recommend treatment for your infection as well.

Injection site reactions

You may develop injection site reactions from Kevzara. These reactions occur at the area of skin where you inject your dose of Kevzara. Examples include:

What might help

If you develop injection site reactions that are bothersome, tell your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce this side effect. For example, they may recommend an over-the-counter medication, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), to decrease itching or redness.

Low white blood cells

Kevzara may cause you to have a low white blood cell count, which can increase your risk of infections.

What might help

Throughout your treatment, your doctor will check your blood cell count. If you develop low levels of white blood cells, they can help you determine the best treatment options for you.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a decrease in your dose of Kevzara. Or they may suggest you stop Kevzara and try a different medication to treat your rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Kevzara can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest the following to help you manage your symptoms:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Kevzara, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Kevzara, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Consider taking notes on any side effects you have during your Kevzara treatment. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking a new medication or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Kevzara affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Kevzara’s side effects.

Is hair loss one possible side effect of Kevzara?

No, you shouldn’t have hair loss as a side effect from Kevzara. If you have hair loss during your treatment, talk with your doctor about what may be causing it.

In some cases, your doctor may suggest you use Kevzara along with other rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medications, such as Trexall (methotrexate). These other medications can cause hair loss.

If you have hair loss during your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may help determine the cause and suggest ways to prevent it from getting worse.

Does Kevzara cause any ocular (eye-related) side effects?

No, Kevzara shouldn’t cause eye-related side effects. If you notice any changes in your vision during your treatment, be sure to tell your doctor right away.

Other medications you may take for your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may cause eye-related side effects, though. For example, your doctor may recommend that you use Kevzara along with Trexall (methotrexate) to treat your RA. This additional medication can cause vision changes, such as blurred vision, eye pain, eye infections, or dry eye.

If you have any eye-related side effects while using Kevzara, tell your doctor. They can help you determine the cause and the best treatment option.

How can I prevent some of the side effects that Kevzara may cause?

In some cases, you may be able to prevent some of Kevzara’s side effects. For example, one of the most common side effects of this medication is infections. In some cases, these can be serious or even life threatening.

At the first sign of infection, see your doctor right away. They’ll be able to determine if your infection is serious and the best treatment option for you. Examples of symptoms of infection include:

You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by staying hydrated and taking vitamins as recommended by your doctor. It’s also important to wash your hands frequently as this helps to prevent infections.

In addition, you may have reactions at the site where you inject your dose of Kevzara. Your doctor may recommend you take medication, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine), before your injection. These medications can reduce injection-related reactions.

If you’re having side effects that are serious or bothersome to you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend the best ways to reduce your symptoms.

If you have certain medical conditions, Kevzara may not be right for you. In some cases, your doctor may monitor you more often during your treatment. Other times, they may recommend a different treatment option altogether. Be sure to discuss any other medical conditions you have with your doctor before starting Kevzara treatment.

Boxed warning: Serious infections

Kevzara has a boxed warning for serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Kevzara may increase your risk of serious infections, such as pneumonia. Serious infections can lead to hospitalization and may even be life threatening.

If you develop symptoms of a serious infection, see a doctor right away. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Kevzara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Kevzara. Below are some factors to consider.

Diverticulitis or ulcers. If you have certain conditions, such as diverticulitis or ulcers in your stomach or intestines, tell your doctor before starting Kevzara. If you have any of these conditions, Kevzara can increase your risk of developing a gastrointestinal perforation. (This is a tear in the lining of your stomach or intestines.) Your doctor may monitor your condition more often or recommend a different treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Kevzara or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask your doctor what other medications might be better options.

Liver problems. Kevzara can cause increases in your liver enzyme levels, which may indicate liver problems. If you have already have liver problems, Kevzara may make them worse. Your doctor may recommend having your blood tested more often during treatment. And in some cases, they may suggest a different treatment option for you.

Infections, including tuberculosis. Kevzara may increase your risk of infections, which can be serious, such as tuberculosis (TB). If you have any infections, be sure to tell your doctor before you start Kevzara. They’ll likely recommend treating your infection before you start Kevzara.

Live vaccines. During your treatment with Kevzara, you should not receive any live vaccines. (These are vaccines with a live virus in them.) Since Kevzara may weaken your immune system, your body may not be able to fight the live virus as well as it should. And this can lead to you becoming sick. Examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and the chickenpox vaccine. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting Kevzara to see if you need any vaccines.

Cancer. Kevzara may increase your risk of certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma or skin cancer. If you have a history of cancer, be sure to tell your doctor before starting treatment. They may recommend frequent testing or a different treatment option for you.

Alcohol use and Kevzara

Kevzara isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But it’s possible that alcohol may make certain side effects from Kevzara worse. For example, this medication can cause increased liver enzyme levels. Alcohol may also affect your liver. So, alcohol and Kevzara together may increase your risk of liver problems.

Also, other medications you may take with Kevzara, such as Trexall (methotrexate) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe for you during your Kevzara treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Kevzara

It’s not known if Kevzara is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. At this time, there isn’t enough information available to determine if this medication may:

  • cause birth abnormalities
  • affect a breastfeeding baby

There is a pregnancy registry available to sign up for if you do become pregnant during your treatment. A pregnancy registry is a collection of data of women who took this medication while pregnant. Pregnancy registries help determine any effects a drug may have on a developing fetus. To sign up for the pregnancy registry, talk with your doctor or call 1-877-311-8972.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either, talk with your doctor before starting Kevzara.

You may have side effects from taking Kevzara, but most of them will likely be mild. It’s possible to develop serious side effects as well, though. To help you decide if Kevzara is right for you, here are some questions you may wish to ask your doctor:

  • How can I treat side effects that I experience from Kevzara?
  • Can my dose be reduced if my side effects are too serious?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant while taking this medication?

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Q:

Am I at an increased risk of side effects if I use Kevzara along with other medications to treat my rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Anonymous

A:

Your doctor will likely not prescribe another biologic drug for you to take with Kevzara. But they may recommend you take Kevzara with other RA drugs.

For example, you may take Kevzara with methotrexate. Both of these medications can cause liver problems and changes in blood cell counts. Because of this, you may be at an increased risk of these side effects if you take both medications together.

Due to this increased risk, your doctor may have you get your blood tested more often to watch for side effects. If you have side effects that are severe or bothersome, talk with your doctor about a different treatment plan.

Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.