Pronunciation: KEV-za-ra
Generic name: sarilumab
Dosage forms: pre-filled syringe injection (150 mg/1.14 mL) (200 mg/1.14 mL), pre-filled pen injection (150 mg/1.14 mL), (200 mg/1.14 mL)
Drug classes: Antirheumatics, Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 12, 2024.

What is Kevzara?

Kevzara (sarilumab) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in certain adults, and also active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) to help reduce pain, stiffness, swelling, and other symptoms. 

Kevzara works by blocking the effects of a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is involved in causing inflammation, by blocking IL-6 reduces the inflammatory process and improves symptoms. Kevzara belongs to the class of medicines known as interleukin-6 receptor antagonists (also called IL-6 inhibitors) and is a type of biologic.

Kevzara is often given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms, depending on the condition being treated. It is sometimes given together with other arthritis medicines.

Who can use Kevzara?

Kevzara FDA approval was received on May 22, 2017.  It is now FDA approved to treat:

• active rheumatoid arthritis (moderate to severe) in adults who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
• polymyalgia rheumatica in adults who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids or who cannot tolerate corticosteroid taper.
• active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients who weigh 63 kg or greater.

Kevzara side effects

Common Kevzara side effects

Common Kevzara side effects may include runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, abnormal liver function tests, painful urination, or skin redness where an injection was given.

Serious Kevzara side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Kevzara: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing, feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Kevzara. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

• fever, chills, sweating, body aches;
• cough with bloody mucus;
• feeling short of breath;
• diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
• sores on your skin;
• pain or burning when you urinate; or
• feeling very tired.

Also call your doctor at once if you have signs of perforation (a hole or tear) in your stomach or intestines:

• fever;
• ongoing stomach pain; or
• a change in bowel habits.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

prednisone, ibuprofen, naproxen, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, Humira, adalimumab

Warnings

Kevzara affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Tell your doctor if you have a fever, chills, tiredness, cough, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss, skin sores, or painful urination.

Kevzara may cause you to have a tear in your stomach or intestines. This is more likely if you have diverticulitis or a stomach ulcer, or if you also take steroids, methotrexate, or an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Call your doctor right away if you have a fever and ongoing stomach pain.

Before and during your treatment with Kevzara, you will need frequent blood tests. Your treatment may be delayed or stopped based on the results of these tests.

This medicine may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer. 

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Kevzara if you are allergic to sarilumab.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis. Also tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.

To make sure Kevzara is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an active or chronic infection;
• diabetes;
• HIV or AIDS;
• a weak immune system;
• hepatitis or other liver problems;
• stomach pain, diverticulitis, or stomach or intestinal ulcers;
• cancer; or
• if you have received or are scheduled to receive any vaccines.

Using Kevzara may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.

It is not known whether sarilumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of sarilumab on the baby.

You should not breast-feed while using Kevzara.

How should I take Kevzara?

Kevzara is injected under the skin, usually given once every 2 weeks. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Kevzara affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis.

Store this medicine in its original container in a refrigerator. Protect from light. Do not shake or freeze the medicine. Keep Kevzara cold even while traveling.

Before injecting your dose, take the medicine out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature (for 30 minutes if using the prefilled syringe, or for 60 minutes if using the injection pen). Once at room temperature, the medicine must be used within 14 days.

Each prefilled syringe or injection pen is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

• Place used needles, syringes, or injection pens in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Dosing information

Adult Kevzara Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Usual recommended dose: 200 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks

Comments:

• This drug may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or other conventional DMARDs.
• Test patients for latent tuberculosis (TB); if positive, consider treating for TB prior to initiating therapy.
• Avoid using this drug with biological DMARDs because of the possibility of increased immunosuppression and increased risk of infection; concurrent use with biological DMARDs such as TNF antagonists, IL-1R antagonists, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and selective co-stimulation modulators has not been studied.
• Avoid use in patients with active infections.
  
  

Adult Kevzara Dose for Polymyalgia Rheumatica:

Usual recommended dose: 200 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks

Comments:

• This drug is recommended to be used in combination with a tapering course of corticosteroids. It can be used as monotherapy following discontinuation of corticosteroids.

Kevzara Dose active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Usual recommended dose: 200 mg given subcutaneously once every 2 weeks for pJIA patients who weigh 63 kg or greater using the 200 mg/1.14 mL pre-filled syringe. 

Comments: 

•  Can be used as monotherapy or in combination with conventional DMARDs. 

Dose Modification

Dosage Modifications are required for cytopenias, abnormal liver enzymes, and infections. Click on the link below for more detailed dosage information.

Kevzara Dosage Forms

Single-dose pre-filled syringe injection: 150 mg/1.14 mL and 200 mg/1.14 mL.

Single-dose pre-filled pen injection: 150 mg/1.14 mL and 200 mg/1.14 mL.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Kevzara, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

What other drugs will affect Kevzara?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with sarilumab, especially:

• any other medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab, tocilizumab, or tofacitinib.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Kevzara. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Storage

• Refrigerate at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in original carton to protect from light. 
• If needed, patients/caregivers may store this medicine at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) up to 14 days in the outer carton. Do not store above 77°F (25°C). After removal from the refrigerator, use KEVZARA within 14 days or discard. 
• Do not freeze. 
• Do not shake. 

Ingredients

Active Ingredient: sarilumab 

Inactive Ingredients: arginine, histidine, polysorbate 20, sucrose, and Water for Injection, USP. 

Company

Manufactured by: sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807, A SANOFI COMPANY U.S. License # 1752. 

Marketed by: sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC (Bridgewater, NJ 08807) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Tarrytown, NY 10591) 

Registered trademark: Sanofi Biotechnology ©2024 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. / sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC 

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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