Actemra and Col-Probenecid

• Generic Name: tocilizumab
• Dosage Forms: injection, solution, concentrate
• Other Brand Names: Actemra, Actemra ACTPen

Actemra (tocilizumab) reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation.

Actemra is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults after at least one other medication did not work or has stopped working.

Actemra is also used in adults to treat giant cell arteritis, or inflammation of the lining of your arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body).

Actemra is used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in adults and children ages 2 and older. This medicine is also used to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (or "Still disease") in adults and children ages 2 and older.

Actemra is also used to treat severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome (CRS) caused by an overactive immune response to certain types of blood cell treatments for cancer. Tocilizumab is used for CRS in adults and children ages 2 and older.

Tocilizumab is sometimes given together with other medications as part of your complete treatment.

• Generic Name: probenecid
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Benemid

Reduction of serum uric acid concentrations in chronic gouty arthritis and tophaceous gout in patients with frequent disabling gout attacks.

Management of gout when there are visible tophi or when serum urate concentrations exceed 8.5–9 mg/dL and patient has family history of tophi or low urate excretion.

Not usually recommended for management of asymptomatic hyperuricemia; however, some clinicians have suggested that therapy be initiated when serum urate concentrations exceed 9 mg/dL (by colorimetric method) because these concentrations often are associated with increased joint changes and renal complications.

Of no value in the treatment of acute gout attacks (due to lack of analgesic or anti-inflammatory activity).

Probenecid/colchicine fixed-dosage preparation has limited usefulness for prophylactic therapy because colchicine present exceeds the amount required by most patients.

Has been used effectively to promote uric acid excretion in hyperuricemia secondary to the administration of thiazide and related diuretics, furosemide, ethacrynic acid, pyrazinamide, or ethambutol.

Not recommended to treat hyperuricemia secondary to cancer chemotherapy, radiation, or myeloproliferative neoplastic diseases because of increased risk of uric acid nephropathy.

Used for therapeutic advantage to increase concentrations of certain β-lactam anti-infectives in the treatment of gonorrhea, neurosyphilis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID); do not use alone for treatment of gonorrhea, neurosyphilis, or PID.

Used as an adjunct to IM cefoxitin for treatment of uncomplicated urogenital and anorectal gonorrhea in adults and adolescents; considered an alternative regimen by CDC.

Used as an adjunct to IM penicillin G procaine for treatment of neurosyphilis if compliance can be ensured; considered an alternative regimen by CDC.

Used as an adjunct to IM cefoxitin for treatment of PID; considered a regimen of choice by CDC.

Has been used in diagnosis of parkinsonian syndrome and mental depression.