Funding for tocilizumab (Actemra) will be considered for the treatment of new onset or relapsed Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) through the Exceptional Access Program (EAP) in adult patients meeting all the following criteria:
- Symptomatic for GCA; AND
- Diagnosis of GCA confirmed by temporal artery biopsy and/or imaging tests (i.e. magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography or positron emission scanning)1; AND
- Actemra is initiated as combination therapy with 20 mg to 60 mg of prednisone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) with subsequent corticosteroid tapering as symptoms stabilize; AND
- Prescribed by a rheumatologist or a prescriber with expertise in the diagnosis and management of GCA.
1Where these tests are not available or where a result may be deemed unreliable (e.g. a negative biopsy in a patient on corticosteroids), provide C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) results with your request.
Approval duration: 1 year
Recommended dose:
162 mg sc once a week (or once every other week, based on clinical considerations) in combination with a tapering course of corticosteroid.
Renewals will be considered on a case-by-case basis
