Kevzara side effects

Amy99

Hi,

I just started my 4th biologic with is kevzara, I was told that the common side effects were cold symptoms and congestion. I did my injection 3 days ago and woke up with these symptoms today..if anyone has had them do they do away in a few days and comeback with the next injection or are these side affects always there when taking the injection?

Anna

Hi @Amy99 ,

I have no experience of taking Kevsara, but other forum members might be able to help you - perhaps you could post your question on the ‘Living with Arthritis’ forum ( above right) too where you might get more responses.

The Versus Arthritis webpage on Sarilumab ( Kevsara) has got some information but it doesn’t actually say how long the side effects will last:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/sarilumab/

Best wishes,

Anna : )

helpline_team

Hi Amy99,

Thank you for posting on the Helpline forum. I am sorry to hear you have been experiencing side effects from Kevsara (Sarilumab). It is good Anna has given you the link to our Versus Arthritis information on this medication. Some people experience side effects more than others. Everyone’s response to medication is individual and unique. As Anna said, our information doesn’t say specifically how long the side effects may last.

It sounds as if it would be good to talk things through with your rheumatology nurse and/or pharmacist. You could also talk to your GP. We are not medically trained.

As Anna suggested, you may get more responses from posting on our ‘Living with Arthritis’ forum. If you would like to talk things through about your arthritis informally and in confidence, you are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520.

Best wishes,

Fiona

Helpline Advisor 

Sharlene1982

Hi do I just ask my doctor about these injections. I would love to see if they would help me as I suffer daily as I have a 14 week baby. Night feeds are the worst with getting in and out of bed while in so much pain

Shell_H

Hi @Sharlene1982,

I believe the biologics are new drugs which have been developed specifically for rheumatoid arthritis. If you are interested you can definitely ask either your GP or your Rheumatologist specialist about them. There's some more information about the family of drugs here:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drugs-dmards/

Amy99

hi, @Sharlene1982

this is my 4th biologic out of 6, they are fairly new so it’s quite hard to get on them but if you’re arthritis is severe you can ask to get recommended. They can severely impact you immune system however and I’ve ended up in hospital a few time due to this. If you find one that works well for you it can be worth it but in the current climate just something to think about

helpline_team

Hi Sharlene 1982,

Thank you for posting. I am sorry to hear you are experiencing so much pain while you are trying to look after a young baby. It sounds as if you have been going through a tough time.

Shell_H has given you a helpful link. Biological therapies (also known as biologics) are Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and act by altering the underlying disease rather than treating symptoms. They're not painkillers, but they'll reduce pain, swelling and stiffness over a period of weeks or months by slowing down the disease and its effects on the joints.

Biological therapies are usually only given to people who have already tried other treatments appropriate to their condition and not responded well to them. They are often given in combination with a conventional DMARD. They are newer drugs that target individual molecules and tend to work more quickly than conventional DMARDs.

It sounds as if it would be good to talk things through with your rheumatology team to explore what is the most appropriate treatment for you. The rheumatology specialist nurse can usually be contacted between clinic appointments to talk things through. They have access to your clinical records and will know about your medical history and individual circumstances. We are not medically trained.

If you would like to talk things through about your arthritis informally and in confidence, you are always welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 9am – 8pm weekdays.

I hope this is of some help.

Best wishes,

Fiona

Helpline Advisor