How much does a box of tocilizumab cost?

In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves tocilizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, cytokine release syndrome, and COVID-19. Tocilizumab does not have certain interactions when used with other medications.

Plasma levels of simvastatin (a treatment for the cardiovascular system) were reduced by 57% following a single dose of tocilizumab, but it is unclear whether this is clinically relevant. One possible mechanism is that elevated IL-6 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis inhibit the biosynthesis of various cytochrome P450 enzymes, particularly CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4. Tocilizumab lowers IL-6, thereby normalizing cytochrome levels and increasing the metabolism of simvastatin (and possibly other cytochrome metabolizing drugs).

TocilizumabThe original drug has been launched in China and has been included in the medical insurance. Due to its short time on the market, the second-line treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is still limited to traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritisDMARDs To treat patients whose disease activity has decreased by less than 50% in 3 to 6 months, Tocilizumab injection can only be used as directed by the doctor. Its price is around RMB 8,600, which is relatively expensive. The price of the European version of tocilizumab original drug available overseas is around around RMB 14,000 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients and efficacy of the two drugs are basically the same. Currently, there are no generic drugs produced and marketed overseas, and patients can choose by themselves.