Kevzara for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews
Reviews for Kevzara
- Liz...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 21, 2020
"I have been diagnosed with RA for one and a half years. I started with oral methotrexate, but it stopped working and had side effects. I have had 4 injections of the Kevzara and feel wonderful! Still taking 4 pills of methotrexate, but hopefully I will be able to get off. The only side effect is a slight cough for a day after the injection. But I am not going to stop taking it. I wish everyone would benefit from this medication like I have. I feel like me again. Prayers answered."
- Liv...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 12, 2019
"My doc put me on Kevzara, and it really made such a difference in my condition. I feel better than I have felt in years, and my CRP levels are finally in control. After stopping methotrexate, I was worried, but I finally feel like my life is finally back on track."
Frequently asked questions
- What are the new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
- How long does it take for Kevzara to work?
- Does Kevzara cause weight gain?
- How do you use Kevzara (sarilumab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
- MHa...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 13, 2021
"I was in the original clinical trial for Kevzara after being diagnosed with severe RA. I had finger disfigurement and had severe challenges getting dressed and walking. The first injection reversed my finger gnarls. I’ve been in remission for 10 years now thanks to this drug. It saved my life."
- Gra...
- June 22, 2019
"I've been taking Kevzara injections for a few months now. It seems to be helping the pain of RA, but I've been having chronic UTI issues for over a year now. After this last injection today, I'll be darned if I'll ever take it again! About an hour and a half after my injection, I had the worst urinary pain ever. I took a Uribel (Rx), which usually kicks in quickly, but not this time. I see that one of the side effects is urinary pain, and boy, it is pain!!"
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Sid...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- April 10, 2023
"While there is no pain, I am very weak and tired. I also have bladder issues, to the point that I am wearing a pad, which I change constantly. I can no longer drive as I fall asleep. The bottom of my feet feels like I have no feeling, and I am always cold."
- DHS...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 21, 2019
"This med, Kevzara, did a wonderful job lowering my inflammation—better than Humira and even Cimzia. However, I was only able to stay on it about 2 months as I had horrible injection site reactions. Each injection site would become a large, red, itchy, and raised patch for about 2-4 weeks before turning dry and scaly (and still itchy). Since I was doing an injection every 2 weeks, I had irritation all over my belly, and sometimes I would just feel itchy all over with a faint rash (arms, etc.). I had to stop. This med also didn’t seem to relieve pain in my hands and feet, although all of my other joints felt good overall."
- She...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- March 21, 2020
"I’ve been taking Kevzara for over a year, and it’s working great. I’ve had no flare-ups, no pain, and no problem at the injection site. I also take methotrexate, so giving myself two shots is no fun, but it beats the alternative."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 27, 2017
"It really helped me, but a 4-inch rash appeared on my calf. I also had really bad stomach pains and had black, tarry stools. My doctor took me off of Kevzara because of the latter (possibly a gastric bleed)."
- dor...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 14, 2018
"I've been on Kevzara for 10 weeks now and show little to no improvement. I take 20 mg of methotrexate by injection as well. The methotrexate makes me really sick every weekend, so I tried to go a week on the Kevzara by itself. Huge mistake. The pain and swelling went through the roof. I've already tried Inflectra and Xeljanz with no success. Not too sure what I'll get next. Can't go on like this."
- Dan...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 21, 2018
"My doctor put me on KEVZARA 10 weeks ago and took me off of 23.5 of MTX. (Not weaned off, cold turkey.) The KEVZARA nurse says to be patient that it could take up to 3 months to take effect. I am in the worst pain I’ve had since 1997 when I was diagnosed. Prior to KEVZARA, I was on ORENCIA, but it stopped working. Don’t know how to convince the doctor to put me back on MTX. He is not receptive to you telling him what you need."
- Ire...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 8, 2018
"I have taken two injections of Kevzara and refuse to take another. After both injections, it has felt like I had the flu. The lethargy and pain have been the worst it’s ever been. I have had to go in for a Toradol shot each time to cope with the pain. Before Kevzara, I have only had to have the Toradol shots twice in over five years. I can’t afford to be unable to function for a week every two weeks."
- LFe...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 20, 2018
"I've been on Kevzara for 16 weeks now and show little to no improvement. I’ll give it another month, then I’m not too sure what I'll get next. I tried all medications for RA. This one is my last hope, but no improvement yet!"
- Agg...
- December 31, 2017
"I have tried this in my shoulder (in-office physician injection), thigh, belly, and butt. Every time I get a huge (4 to 6) wheal/rash that literally hurts and itches for over a week. I can't see any effects because honestly, I don't think it's absorbing, and I'm still having flare-ups. It's just not worth the pain and suffering that I have to endure."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 14, 2019
"I've taken three Kevzara injections so far. My doctor wants me off steroids and Arava. With each injection, I had a worsening cough, sinus congestion, and now mouth ulcers and a sore throat. It's tolerable and only a minor nuisance so far. I'm willing to tolerate all this if I'm told that these minor side effects will go away with continued use. The internet doesn't say - anyone know?"
- RA ...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 3, 2022
"I am 54 years old and have had RA for 31 years. I have been on all the traditional meds as well as several biologics and was losing hope because I had a life-threatening experience last year on one that put me in the hospital. In spite of this, I began taking Kevzara 4 months ago, and it has made a tremendous difference. I can do many things now that were impossible for years. My blood work is the best it has been since taking Enbrel. I have had so much relief from the fatigue and inflammation I have suffered for so long. I do have site reactions from the injections and use cortisone cream to help with the itching and redness. It lasts a few days and then dissipates. All in all, Kevzara has been very effective for treating RA in my case, almost as good as Enbrel was for the 12 years I was able to take it."
- Dee...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 7, 2023
"When first taking Kevzara, I had pins and needles throughout my body after day one of injecting. It resolved in a day or two. This went on for about 4 months and then resolved. It’s been a year now and I’m suddenly having the exact symptoms - pins and needles everywhere - but it has lasted 2.5 weeks now. I’m concerned it’s related. And nowhere in the literature do I see this as an adverse side effect. I’m a nurse and I believe there’s a correlation."
- LKa...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- October 2, 2020
"I have been on Kevzara for about a year now. I have RA for about 25 years. Everything I have taken in the past stops working after a year or so. Kevzara was my last hope. I still have many flare-ups. Two days after my injection, I get very bad mouth ulcers. I have been using mouth rinses and medication to lessen the severity, but six or more a month is a lot, and they are painful. Not sure how much longer I can deal with this."
- pan...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 19, 2023
"I’ve been on this drug for over 2 years, and I cannot be more grateful. Many other drugs were given to me intravenously, and I could not be happier to be taking something that works from the privacy of my own home. I take it in combination with MTX, hydroxy, and leflunomide. I hope this continues to work, as it is the best drug I’ve had since I was diagnosed with RA in 2009. I can finally exercise, my husband and I even go rock climbing once a week together now. There is a little pain at the injection site, but otherwise, Kevzara is a dream."
- Diz...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 21, 2020
"I just stopped taking Kevzara last week, as the last 2 injections malfunctioned and the plunger did not move, so I couldn't get the medicine out. I did get some relief at first, but not as much as I had in the past with Enbrel (morning), but it stopped working about 2 years ago, and I've been looking for one that works like Enbrel. I didn't get enough relief from the Kevzara to have to worry if it's going to malfunction again."
- Swa...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 28, 2022
"I tried methotrexate, Arava, Embril, and Humira with no relief. My hands and feet started deteriorating rapidly. None of those drugs helped at all. Kevzara has been a game changer. The pain and inflammation are manageable. I can open bottles again. I’m no longer sleeping in wrist splints. I’m able to lift weights a few days a week."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 17, 2022
"Been on this RA medicine for 3 weeks, and it seems to help with my RA. Like other patients have reported, I started to get painful mouth ulcers (canker sores) under my tongue and inside my lips. Also getting flaky skin around my nose. I heard taking 1 mg tablet or more of the folic acid can reduce this side effect of this medicine. I will consult my doctor to see if this will help."
- Gla...
- October 3, 2020
"Really bad experience. It lowered my immune system to dangerous levels right after the first injection and developed mouth sores for an entire month."
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"I've only taken three injections so far. But I felt a little better with each injection... to the point that I actually look forward to my injections (which don't burn like Enbrel and Humira!! Almost no pain.) After the third injection, the worst of my RA symptoms (tingling, burning, and numbness in my hands) were gone, and I just had what I think of as my normal RA aches and pains that I don't expect to go away after nearly 30 years with the disease. However... I was diagnosed with pneumonia last week (something I've never had before. I rarely even get colds.) so my Kevzara is on hold. I believe Kevzara is to blame for the pneumonia, but it's a risk I'm willing to take because it really works for my RA. But please be careful and call your doctor immediately at any sign of infection or illness."