Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. Sarilumab may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you or your child are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how to use this medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is available in 2 forms: You may use a prefilled syringe or aprefilled pen.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems.

Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes (for the prefilled syringe) or 60 minutes (for the prefilled pen)before using it. Do not warm this medicine in any other way.

Check the liquid in the prefilled syringe or pen. It should be clear and colorless to pale yellow. Do not use this medicine if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it, or if the prefilled syringe is damaged or broken. Do not shake the medicine.

Do not inject into skin areas that are red, bruised, tender, hard, or have scars or stretch marks.

Do not remove the needle cap from the prefilled syringe or pen until you are ready to use it.

You might not use all of the medicine in each prefilled syringe or pen. Use each prefilled syringe and pen only one time. Do not save an open syringe or pen.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (prefilled syringe or pen):
    • For moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica:
      • Adults—At first, 200 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin once every 2 weeks. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep the medicine in its original carton to protect from light. Do not use it if it has been frozen. You may also keep the medicine at room temperature for up to 14 days. Throw away unused medicine after 14 days.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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