What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Cancer
-Diabetes
-Diverticulitis
-Hepatitis B or history of hepatitis B infection
-High cholesterol
-Immune system problems
-Infection, especially a viral infection, such as chickenpox, cold sores, herpes
-Liver disease
-Low blood cell levels (white cells, platelets, or red blood cells)
-Recent or upcoming vaccine
-Scheduled to have surgery
-Stomach or intestine problems
-Tuberculosis, a positive skin test for tuberculosis, or recent close contact with someone who has tuberculosis
-An unusual or allergic reaction to sarilumab, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Live virus vaccines
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Biologic medications, such as abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, ofatumumab, rituximab, secukinumab, tocilizumab, tofacitinib, ustekinumab
This medication may affect how other medications work. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
This medication can increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. If you have not had the measles or chickenpox vaccines, tell your care team right away if you are around someone with these viruses.
If you are going to need surgery or other procedure, tell your care team that you are using this medication.
Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medication.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medicine can lower your body’s ability to fight infections. You may get more infections while taking this medicine. Any infection you get could become serious and even deadly.