KEVZARA

Medicine details 

Brand name - Kevzara 

Generic name - Sarilumab 

Manufacturer - Sanofi US and Regeneron 

Salt composition - Sarilumab 

Storage - Store in a refrigerator (2ºC - 8ºC) 

Dosage form - Injection 

Strength - 150mg/1.14mL and 200mg/1.14mL 

Packaging - 2 single-dose pre-filled syringes 

Gender - Unisex 

Indication - Used in the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis 

Description 

Kevzara (Sarilumab) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist used in the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Sarilumab is usually used after other treatments have failed. 

Pharmacodynamics 

Mechanism of action  

Sarilumab is a human monoclonal antibody (IgG1 subtype) that binds to both soluble and membrane-bound IL-6 receptors (IL-6Rα), and works to inhibit IL-6-mediated signalling which involves ubiquitous signal-transducing glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT-3). In functional human cell-based assays, Sarilumab was able to block the IL-6 signalling pathway, measured as STAT-3 inhibition, only in the presence of IL-6. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that stimulates diverse cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis and can activate hepatocytes to release acute-phase proteins, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A. Elevated levels of IL-6 are found in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They play an important role in both the pathologic inflammation and joint destruction which are hallmarks of RA. IL-6 is involved in diverse physiological processes such as migration and activation of T-cells, B-cells, monocytes, and osteoclasts leading to systemic inflammation, synovial inflammation, and bone erosion in patients with RA. The activity of sarilumab in reducing inflammation is associated with laboratory changes such as decrease in ANC and elevation in lipids. 

Pharmacodynamic effects  

Following single-dose subcutaneous (SC) administration of sarilumab 200 mg and 150 mg in patients with RA rapid reduction of CRP levels was observed. Levels were reduced to normal as early as 4 days after treatment initiation. Following single-dose sarilumab administration, in patients with RA, ANC decreased to the nadir between 3 to 4 days and thereafter recovered towards baseline. Treatment with Sarilumab resulted in decreases in fibrinogen and serum amyloid A, and increases in haemoglobin and serum albumin. 

Ingredients 

The active ingredient in Kevzara is Sarilumab. The inactive ingredients are Histidine, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Sucrose and Water for injections. 

Usage of Kevzara 

Kevzara (Sarilumab) is used in the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. 

Contraindication  

Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active and inactive ingredients of the medicine.