Tocilizumab alert

HEALTH professionals have been advised of “serious drug-induced liver injury” in connection with tocilizumab, marketed in Australia under the brand name Actemra.

Acute liver failure, hepatitis and jaundice have been observed with the administration of the medication, according to a new update from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which said the frequency of serious hepatoxicity is considered rare, but in some cases has required a liver transplant.

Actemra is indicated for treatment of a range of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis in adults, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell induced severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome.

Patients treated with tocilizumab should be closely monitored for liver adverse events and advised to seek immediate medical advice if they have signs of hepatoxicity such as jaundice, dark urine, itch, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.