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Actemra Dosage
from eMedTV.comRecommended Dosage of Actemra for Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA)
Only the IV form of Actemra (not the subcutaneous injection form) is approved for SJIA. The recommended starting dose of Actemra for treating SJIA in individuals 2 through 17 years of age is based on body weight. For children weighing less than 30 kg (66 pounds), the standard dosage is 12 mg per kg (about 5.5 mg per pound) once every two weeks. For those weighing 30 mg (66 pounds) or more, the standard dosage is 8 mg per kg (about 3.6 mg per pound) every two weeks.
The medication is administered intravenously (via an IV infusion, also known as an IV drip) lasting one hour.
Your healthcare provider should check your liver function and blood cell counts (using standard blood tests) before you start Actemra and periodically thereafter. If your liver enzymes are too high or your blood cell counts are too low, your dosage may need to be reduced (in mild cases), or you may need to stop taking this medication altogether (for more severe cases).
Recommended Dosage of Actemra for Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (PJIA)
Only the IV form of Actemra (not the subcutaneous injection form) is approved for PJIA. The recommended starting dose of Actemra for treating PJIA in individuals 2 through 17 years of age is based on body weight. For children weighing less than 30 kg (66 pounds), the standard dosage is 10 mg per kg (about 4.5 mg per pound) once every four weeks. For those weighing 30 mg (66 pounds) or more, the standard dosage is 8 mg per kg (about 3.6 mg per pound) every four weeks.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD