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Date: 02.07.2012
From: willis

Subject: RoActemra

hi is anyone currently taking this medication? or heard of it?
thanks
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Date: 03.07.2012
From: Paula-R

Subject: Re: RoActemra

This if from an article in the Daily Mail some time back, hope it helps.

A drug that could ease the agony of thousands of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers has been given the go-ahead for many more NHS patients in England and Wales.
RoActemra, which is the first innovation in the field for ten years, is being recommended for patients who have failed on standard treatments.
It is the first time RoActemra has been approved for NHS patients in England and Wales with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who are at an early stage in the disease.

Hope: The NHS given go-ahead to prescribe RoActemra which eases the agony of rheumatoid arthritis
The drug has been available for early use in Scotland for two years.
At present in England and Wales it is used by only 1,200 patients at later stages of the disease. The decision by the Governmentâs rationing body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), means up to 40,000 more patients will be eligible.
The £9,000 annual cost of RoActemra, also known as tocilizumab, is the same as other advanced Îbiologicâ drugs already being used, but a discount scheme has been agreed with manufacturers Roche.
Trial data shows almost half of patients on RoActemra are in remission with virtually no symptoms after a year compared with 8 per cent on a commonly used drug called methotrexate.
The rate of remission is almost six times higher than on methotrexate alone.
Trial data shows almost half of patients on RoActemra are in remission À with virtually no symptoms
The new drug is a laboratory-manufactured antibody that blocks the activity of interleukin 6 (IL-6), an important immune system signalling molecule that underpins many inflammatory processes.
Because RoActemra works in a completely different way to existing drugs it is likely to be effective in some patients where the other drugs donât work or have stopped working.
John Isaacs, professor of clinical rheumatology at Newcastle University, says it vital sufferers have options
John Isaacs, professor of clinical rheumatology at Newcastle University, said: ÎRheumatoid arthritis is an unrelenting disease and it is vital that patients have options available to them when they are no longer responding to, or can no longer tolerate, their current treatment.â
The disease occurs when the bodyâs immune system attacks the joints causing pain and swelling, most commonly in the hands, wrists and feet.
NHS figures suggest it affects 400,000 people in England and Wales, striking three times more women than men. It is most common between the ages of 40 and 70. Half of victims are unable to work through disability within ten years.
Professor Isaacs said it was vital to treat people as early as possible with the most effective drugs. He added: ÎWe have evidence that if you can stop the disease early, you can change the way it progresses for the rest of the patientâs life.
ÎThis is particularly important when it strikes at a young age women can be affected in their 40s and 50s but it can start in the 20s and younger.â
Ailsa Bosworth, chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, said: ÎWe are delighted with Niceâs decision, as there are so many patients with rheumatoid arthritis in need of tighter disease management.
ÎThis decision is most welcome as it is vital that patients have effective options available as soon as one treatment approach fails.â
Professor Carole Longson, director of the health technology evaluation centre at Nice, said: ÎRheumatoid arthritis can have a huge impact on quality of life and for many itâs a disabling condition, so weâre pleased to recommend tocilizumab at an additional stage in treating the condition.â
The drug was also approved in December for children with systemic juvenile arthritis, a severe inflammatory disease that can affect those as young as 18 months.
Around 2,500 children in Britain are living with the disease, which can persist into adulthood and cause significant disability.
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Date: 03.07.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Re: RoActemra

Hi Paula, Thank you for sharing this. I live in Scotland but i am currently on Rituximab, if i get no response then this is the next drug i have been told they will try. I have been told that they are getting some excellent results with this drug. It is given by monthly infusions and doesn't take as long as the rituximab infusions. best wishes x
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Date: 04.07.2012
From: willis

Subject: Re: RoActemra

thanks for the info Paula - it tells me also that if my readings aren't 5 or above then doc won't even consider it.
rhuemy nurse did test on me where she pressed hands etc to see what hurt etc and how bad - well after i'd climbed off the ceiling she says it's got to be high twice and diff meds to be tried before any other meds considered. well after acupunture I feel tons better in myself but the actual pain and aches etc are still there so you never know, by september they may add this to the mix - here's hoping
hope you all keep well
xxx
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Date: 05.07.2012
From: Sue Pitchforth

Subject: Re: RoActemra

Hi Willis , Im Sue Im new to this site . I just wanted to let you know Ive been on Tocilizumab (Actemra ) for 12 months now . Tried all biologics and none worked well or gave really bad side effects . This one is by far the best , although Ive had to have my dose reduced at the mo because I have Autoimmune Hepatitis , which is a problem with my liver , my blood results are a bit high . I have had a little flare since the dose reduction , but when im on the full 8mgs per kg Im absolutely wonderful . It did take about 6months to start working , but my rheumatoid was really active , . hope this has helped you . My crp went from 186 to under 2 !!! a truly amazing biologic drug . Take care sue
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Date: 05.07.2012
From: willis

Subject: Re: RoActemra

hi sue
thanks for your input. i still not got hang of crp etc and what they all mean or how i find out what the readings are for lol I've just collected blood results from gp ready for rhuemy nurse meetin on 21st july but it might as well be in spanish for all it makes sense to me -the only bit i understand is no further action required lol
i'll let you all know what happens going forwards
xx
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Sue Pitchforth

Subject: Re: RoActemra

Hi Willis , if there is anything I can help with , Im used to all bloods etc !! , I nursed for 14 years Ive had rheumatoid now for 8 years . The CRP is the level of inflammation in the blood , usually it should be 10 or under , but depends what laboratories ranges are . Have you been started on any meds yet or are you awaiting to see rheumy docs first ?? x
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