Skip to main content

Does Kevzara cause weight gain?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on June 14, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Overview

  • Weight gain is not a reported side effect of Kevzara.
  • The medical conditions Kevzara treats, such as RA, PMR, or pJIA can make people tired and make it hard for them to move and exercise, which may contribute to weight gain.
  • Other drugs that may also be given for rheumatoid arthritis, PMR, or pJIA, such as prednisone, are more likely to cause weight gain.

Information

Weight gain has not been reported as a side effect of Kevzara. Common side effects of Kevzara include:

  • Black, bloody or tarry stools
  • Cough
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Fever
  • Lower back pain
  • Sore throat
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Ulcers in the mouth
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) can make people tired and make it hard for them to move and exercise, which may contribute to weight gain. Other drugs that may also be given for rheumatoid arthritis or PMR, such as prednisone, are more likely to be the reason behind weight gain.

Related questions

About Kevzara

Kevzara (sarilumab) is used to treat adults with RA or PMR, and patients weighing 63 kg or greater with active pJIA. It belongs to a family of medicines called interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors and is a type of biologic.

  • Kevazara works by blocking the effects of a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 is a type of inflammatory cytokine and it is involved in several different processes within the body, including inducing the production of C-reactive protein (CRP) by the liver.
  • IL-6 contributes significantly to the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and PMR. It is found in abundance in the synovial fluid and serum of people with RA and levels of IL-6 are higher during periods of increased disease activity and joint destruction. It also contributes to other symptoms of RA, such as anemia, osteoporosis, and fatigue. IL-6 is elevated in people with PMR, and high levels correlate with disease activity and systemic inflammation.
  • Kevzara is usually given once every two weeks as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection.
References
  • Kevzara (sarilumab) You’ve just started KEVZARA. So what’s ahead? Sanofi Genzyme. https://www.kevzara.com/starting-kevzara/what-to-expect
  • Kevzara (sarilumab) [Package Insert] sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC 06/2024. https://products.sanofi.us/kevzara/kevzara.pdf
  • FDA approves Kevzara for Active Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-kevzara-sarilumab-active-polyarticular-juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis-pjia-6292.html

Read next

Is obesity a major risk factor for Covid-19?

Obesity is a major risk factor for covid-19 and people who are obese are more likely than those who are not obese to contract Covid-19 at a younger age, develop severe Covid-19, require hospitalization, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, intubation, or admission into ICU, end up in hospital sooner, or die from Covid-19. Continue reading

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?

Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescription medicines used alongside diet and exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is also approved to lower the risk of a major cardiovascular event (like a heart attack or stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and heart-related death in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro has not yet received these indications, although studies are ongoing.

In a large, 2024 retrospective study in adults with overweight or obesity and treated for type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro led to at least a 5% weight loss within one year in 81.8% of adults compared to 66.5% of those using Ozempic. Continue reading

Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For

The most common Ozempic side effects with Ozempic include stomach problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and constipation. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and usually clear up in a few weeks in most people. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is also a common side effect (when used with certain other diabetes treatments) and it can be serious. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups