Dental extraction while on Tocilizumab SC

[Intheend]

I appreciate that no one can give medical advice, so am really asking for other people’s experience in my situation.

I saw my dentist on Friday following several weeks of sensitivity to heat in a root canalled, crowned, premolar.

After much discussion the dentist recommended extraction and left me to talk to Rheumatology concerning how long to stop Tocilizumab weekly injections pre extraction.

I have left a message on the Rheumatology Helpline but they often take a week or more to get back to you🙈

At lunchtime today the crown came away from the tooth🙈

I assume the extraction will need to be done asap now ( thankfully no pain at the moment)

Just wondered if anyone could throw any light on needed gap between last Toci injection and the extraction? I should have injected today but have held off.

Always appreciate the “advice” of my fellow RA warriors!

[Moomin8]

Hi, I obviously can't give medical advise, but I am on Tocilizumab. If you're currently pretty well regarding your RA, I'm sure you'll be fine holding fire with your injections until your clinical team get back to you. It's important to sort your tooth out right now, especially as it will be open to possible infection until it's done. But, as I said, it's just my humble opinion.

[Intheend in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.. I agree that sorting out the tooth is a priority for just the reasons you mentioned👍

[sylvi]

I am not on your drug, but i am waiting for a tooth to be taken out at the hospital as my dentist doesn't do it. I know i will have to stop the aledronic acid and i think i will also have to stop the mtx.xxx

[Intheend]

Thank you Sylvi for replying.. I hope all goes well with having your tooth out at the hospital x

[SheilaT3271]

I’m on Kevzara - a biosimilar to Toc and had a wisdom tooth out in May ‘24 and didn’t stop my usual fortnightly injection. Had no problems.

[Intheend in reply to SheilaT3271]

Thank you so much for replying.. that sounds really encouraging!

[ruth_p]

I didn’t stop my biologic when I had my wisdom tooth out.

[ruth_p]

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos... found this thread from 3 years ago.

[Intheend]

Thank you so much Ruth for finding this👍

[Slinkyminx]

hi. I was on toc. When I had my knee replacement I stopped for two weeks before and two weeks after. It always seemed when I stopped I didn’t flare because the body went off to fix the knee. Only my observation though Hope all goes ok. I’d rather have a knee replaced than a tooth issue

[Intheend]

Thanks for telling me of your experience.. and for your best wishes! Not keen on dental issues either!

[Moomin8]

Let us know how you get on 🙂

[Twitty999]

I’m having a tooth extraction on Monday & my Dentist advised me…stop MTX 2 weeks before & stop blood thinner one day before xx

[Intheend]

Thanks👍

[Intheend]

Have spoken to Rheumy Nurse and have been told to stop Tocilizumab injections for 2 weeks before extraction and not resume till 2 weeks after. Extraction booked for two weeks today so just hoping that 4 weeks off biologic doesn’t result in a flare 🤦🏻‍♀️

Thanks to everyone who told me of their experiences.