Key takeaways

  • Common side effects of Actemra include headache, high blood pressure, upper respiratory infections, and injection site reactions like itching or redness.
  • Serious side effects may include infections (such as tuberculosis), high cholesterol, liver problems, and holes or tears in the stomach or intestines.
  • If you develop symptoms that are severe or won’t go away with receiving Actemra, talk with your healthcare professional right away.

Actemra is used to treat certain conditions, such as cytokine release syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

Like most drugs, Actemra can cause side effects. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Actemra can cause.

Actemra has a boxed warning for risk of serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Examples of Actemra’s commonly reported side effects include:

Actemra may cause side effects other than the ones listed in this article. See the Actemra prescribing information for details.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Actemra include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Actemra unless your doctor recommends it.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Actemra include:

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Actemra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Reflection time: Have you noticed patterns in when side effects tend to feel more noticeable?

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Actemra’s side effects.

Yes, certain side effects of Actemra can vary depending on how you’re given the drug. Some may be the same. For example, you may have itching or a rash after receiving Actemra as an injection or infusion.

But you may also have different side effects with either the injection or infusion. For example, with Actemra injections under the skin, you may have certain reactions in the area where the drug is injected. These include pain and redness or deepening of skin color.

But you may have different reactions with Actemra infusions, such as dizziness, changes in blood pressure, and headache.

No, Actemra isn’t known to cause hair loss. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

However, hair loss is a symptom of certain conditions Actemra is used to treat. These include rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. So you may have hair loss while using  Actemra. But this could be caused by the condition you’re receiving Actemra to treat and not by the drug itself.

Yes, it is possible. Actemra may cause serious side effects that lead to long-term problems. In some cases, these problems can take several weeks or months to resolve.

For example, Actemra may cause liver problems that can lead to liver disease. Actemra can also cause conditions that damage the protective covering around your nerves, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). And there currently isn’t a known cure for MS.

There aren’t any side effects that are known to happen if you stop Actemra treatment.

However, symptoms of the condition you’re using Actemra to treat might come back after you stop receiving the drug. It’s best to continue Actemra treatment until your doctor tells you it’s safe to stop it.

Learn more about some of the side effects Actemra may cause and ways to help manage them.

Weight gain

Weight gain wasn’t a common side effect in initial studies of Actemra. But there have been reports of weight gain in people using Actemra after the drug came on the market. It’s unclear how often weight gain happens with Actemra or whether the drug is truly the cause.

Some tips for helping manage weight gain while receiving Actemra include:

  • Eating a balanced diet and limiting processed foods.
  • Increasing physical activity.
  • Finding ways to lower stress, such as by doing yoga.
  • Getting enough sleep.

Holes or tears in the stomach or intestines

Rarely, Actemra may cause holes or tears in your stomach or intestines. This can result in fever, severe abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits.

If you have possible symptoms of these side effects, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely give you an X-ray or CT scan to check for holes or tears in your stomach and intestines.

High cholesterol

High cholesterol is a common side effect of Actemra. Most people don’t have any symptoms from high cholesterol. But your doctor can give you a cholesterol test to check your cholesterol levels.

Tips for managing high cholesterol include:

  • Checking your cholesterol level every 1–2 months while you’re receiving Actemra.
  • Eating a low cholesterol diet.
  • Talking with your doctor about whether you need to start prescription drugs that can help lower your cholesterol.

Actemra has a boxed warning for risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Some infections from Actemra may be serious enough to cause you to stay in the hospital. In rare cases, infections from Actemra can be fatal.

Serious infections, such as TB, can cause the following symptoms:

  • chills
  • cough that won’t go away
  • fatigue (lack of energy)
  • fever
  • weight loss

What might help

Before starting Actemra treatment, tell your doctor if you have TB or if you’ve had it in the past. They’ll likely test you for TB before you start treatment. If you have a positive TB test, your doctor will treat your TB before starting Actemra.

Your doctor may keep testing you for TB from time to time while you use Actemra. Be sure to tell them if you have any symptoms of infection while using the drug. If you have TB or another type of infection, they’ll likely have you stop Actemra treatment until your infection has been treated.

Actemra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Actemra. The list below includes factors to consider.

  • conditions that affect your nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • hepatitis B
  • liver problems.
  • tuberculosis (TB)
  • ulcers or inflammation (swelling and damage) in your stomach or intestines
  • allergic reaction to Actemra or any of its ingredients
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • an infection that’s chronic (long-term), hasn’t been treated or keeps coming back

Some people may have mild side effects while receiving Actemra. In rare cases, this drug can also cause serious side effects, such as serious infections.

If you have questions about Actemra’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Here are a few examples of questions you may want to ask:

  • Can you recommend ways to treat the side effects I’m experiencing with Actemra?
  • Will the side effects I have from Actemra affect the dosage I’m prescribed?
  • Are there any side effects of Actemra that I should tell you about right away?

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.

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