What Is Actemra? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

If you or someone you care for has been prescribed Actemra, you probably have questions. What is it? Why is it given differently from most medications? What conditions does it treat? This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Actemra (tocilizumab) in plain language — no medical jargon required.

What Is Actemra?

Actemra is the brand name for tocilizumab, a biologic medication made by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. It was first approved in Japan in 2005 and received FDA approval in the United States in January 2010. It belongs to a drug class called interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonists — it works by blocking a specific protein that drives inflammation throughout the body.

Unlike a chemical pill that you can synthesize in a lab, Actemra is a biologic — it's made using living cells (specifically, Chinese Hamster Ovary cells that have been genetically engineered to produce the tocilizumab protein). This makes it more complex and expensive to manufacture than traditional drugs.

What Conditions Does Actemra Treat?

Actemra has seven FDA-approved indications as of 2026:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults — for patients with moderate-to-severe RA who haven't responded adequately to other DMARDs
2. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adults — inflammation of the large arteries, often causing severe headaches and vision problems
3. Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) — to slow lung function decline in adults with scleroderma-related lung disease
4. Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) — active joint disease in children 2 years and older
5. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) — a severe form of childhood arthritis with fever and rash, in patients 2 years and older
6. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) — a life-threatening immune overreaction caused by CAR-T cell cancer therapy, in adults and children 2+
7. COVID-19 — hospitalized adults and pediatric patients 2+ years receiving corticosteroids who require supplemental oxygen support

How Is Actemra Given?

Actemra is available in two forms:

• Intravenous (IV) infusion: Given by a healthcare professional through a vein, usually over 60 minutes. Available in vials of 80 mg/4 mL, 200 mg/10 mL, and 400 mg/20 mL. For RA, typically given every 4 weeks.
• Subcutaneous (SC) injection: Self-injected at home using a prefilled syringe or ACTPen autoinjector. Available as 162 mg/0.9 mL. For RA, typically given weekly or every other week depending on your weight.

What Are the Typical Doses?

Dosing varies significantly depending on the condition being treated:

• RA (IV): Starting dose 4 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks; may increase to 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks
• RA (SC): 162 mg every other week if <100 kg (may increase to weekly); 162 mg weekly if ≥100 kg
• GCA (SC): 162 mg weekly alongside a tapering corticosteroid course
• CRS (IV): 8 mg/kg IV for patients ≥30 kg; 12 mg/kg IV for patients <30 kg

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Is Actemra a Controlled Substance?

No. Actemra is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It requires a prescription from a licensed prescriber, but there are no restrictions on quantity or refill limits based on scheduling. However, prior authorization from your insurance company is almost always required.

Are There Biosimilars Available?

Yes. Three FDA-approved biosimilars to Actemra are now available in the U.S.: Tofidence (tocilizumab-bavi, Biogen), Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg, Fresenius Kabi), and Avtozma (tocilizumab-anoh, Celltrion). These biosimilars contain the same active ingredient and are therapeutically equivalent to Actemra. Many insurance plans now prefer or require them as part of step therapy protocols before covering brand-name Actemra.

Want to understand how Actemra actually works inside your body? Read our guide: How Does Actemra Work? Mechanism of Action Explained. If you're having trouble finding Actemra, medfinder can help locate it at pharmacies near you.