• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center

Show Search
Hide Search
  • About Our Center
    • Appointments and Directions
    • Meet Our Team
    • Support Our Center
  • What is Vasculitis?
    • Types of Vasculitis
    • Causes of Vasculitis
    • Symptoms of Vasculitis
    • Diagnosing Vasculitis
  • Vasculitis Treatments
    • Prednisone
    • Avacopan (Tavneos®)
    • Apremilast (Otezla®)
    • Azathioprine
    • Colchicine
    • Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
    • Dapsone
    • Supplemental Immunoglobulin (IVIG/SCIG)
    • Leflunomide
    • Mepolizumab (Nucala®)
    • Methotrexate (MTX)
    • Mycophenolate
    • Rituximab
    • Sarilumab (Kevzara®)
    • TNF Inhibitors
    • Tocilizumab (Actemra®)
  • Vasculitis Research
  • Resources
Home / Vasculitis Treatments / Tocilizumab (Actemra®)

Tocilizumab (Actemra®)

What is tocilizumab?

Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that is approved for the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA).

How does tocilizumab work?

Tocilizumab works by blocking IL-6. IL-6 is an immune system protein that promotes inflammation.

How is tocilizumab given?

Tocilizumab can be self-administered as an injection (weekly or every 2 weeks) or given intravenously at an infusion center (monthly).

Side effects:

We pay particular attention to liver function tests, lipids, and blood counts when using tocilizumab.

All immunosuppressants require regular monitoring in the form of blood tests, in-person assessments, and prompt attention to any signs or symptoms of infection.

Receive the Latest News from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Receive the Latest News from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.

Interested In

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Use of this Site

All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

Primary Sidebar


donate to the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center

All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center website is intended for educational purposes only. Visitors are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

Footer

Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

  • Johns Hopkins Rheumatology
  • Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
  • Johns Hopkins Lupus Center
  • Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
  • Johns Hopkins Myositis Center
  • Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center
  • Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Syndrome Center

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
U.S. News and World Report Rankings Badge

Johns Hopkins Medicine

© 2025 Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center
Patient Privacy