In clinical trials, Actemra helped reduce mechanical ventilation and shorten hospitalization time.
It lowered risks of death by about 5%.
Its best utilized if patients are sick enough to require an ICU admission or who are close to one.
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How Does Actemra Work?
Actemra is infused into a patients bloodstream as a fluid.
By blocking theinterleukin-6 receptor, Actemra fights against a hyperactive immune system to reduce inflammation.
To avoid contracting COVID-19, the CDC recommends that eligible people get an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccination.
Actemra is an anti-inflammatory medication, not antiviral, meaning it doesnt target SARS-COV-2 directly.
Instead, it targets receptors inside a persons white blood cells to fight off a hyperactive immune response.
While Actemra doesn’t cure COVID-19 itself, it may be able to stop a potentially life-threatening side effect.
The virus can thrive and spread as long as it has a hosta persons immune systemto hang onto.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
