Actemra FAQ

Information about Roche’s arthritis drug Actemra and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about side effects, lawsuits, class action, settlements, and how lawyers can help.

Need a Texas Actemra Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with severe side effects of Actemra, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Actemra FAQ

What is Actemra?
How does Actemra work?
What is the problem with Actemra?
How many deaths are linked to Actemra?
Were doctors warned about Actemra side effects?
What are severe side effects of Actemra?
Can I join an Actemra class action?
Are there any Actemra settlements?
Can I file an Actemra lawsuit?

What is Actemra?

Actemra® (tocilizumab) is an injection medication that is used to reduce chronic inflammation associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). Actemra is manufactured by Roche and it was approved by the FDA on January 8, 2010.

How does Actemra work?

Like most other arthritis drugs, Actemra is designed to relieve pain. Actemra’s unique advantage over other arthritis drugs is that it inhibits the acute inflammatory response that causes the disease.

What is the problem with Actemra?

Investigators with STAT news found hundreds of reports of patients on Actemra who died of severe side effects that are not on the label, such as heart attacks, strokes, pancreatitis, or lung disease.

The researchers found “clear evidence” that the risk of cardiovascular events was “as high or higher for Actemra patients than for patients taking some competing drugs.” One of those competing drugs, Enbrel, has a Boxed Warning label about heart failure — Actemra does not.

How many deaths are linked to Actemra?

In 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported 15 deaths and 221 serious injuries in a clinical trial of 5,000 patients on Actemra in Japan. Even so, Actemra was approved in the U.S. in 2010. Over the next 7 years, Actemra was linked to 1,100 deaths and many more injuries.

Were doctors warned about Actemra side effects?

Our lawyers are concerned that Roche may have failed to warn doctors and patients about side effects of Actemra, especially deadly cardiovascular and pulmonary side effects. Roche may have known about the risk. Other arthritis drugs carry prominent warnings and Vioxx was pulled off the market in 2004 after causing 60,000 deaths.

What are severe side effects of Actemra?

Actemra has been linked to hundreds of reports of the following severe side effects that are not on the label:

• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Pancreatitis
• Interstitial lung disease

Can I join an Actemra class action?

There are no Actemra class actions for people who were injured. Lawyers are still investigating Actemra lawsuits against Roche and the litigation is in its early stages. There is a possibility that if a large number of lawsuits are filed, the litigation will be centralized in state or federal courts. Unlike a class action, many individual lawsuits are centralized in a “mass-tort” or Multi-District Litigation (MDL).

Are there any Actemra settlements?

To date, Roche has not offered settlements in any Actemra lawsuits involving people who were injured by side effects.

Can I file an Actemra lawsuit?

You have a limited amount of time to file an Actemra lawsuit if you were injured. This time-limit is called the “statute of limitations” and it varies depending on the laws in the state where you live. For example, some states give you only 1 year to file a lawsuit from the date of your injury. This is why it is important to contact a lawyer immediately.

Need a Actemra Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Actemra lawyers for a free lawsuit review.