experience with Tocilizumab

[Mgpa]

I have Gca and have now been prescribed weekly injections of Tocilizumab (self administered). Lately I have found that should I be exposed to sunlight I have scabs appear on my face, is this a common symptom when using Toc ? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Michael

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Dermatological effects have been recorded with TCZ - everyone will be different, I have never had a problem I can identify.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

In RA there are already dermatological problems so it does confuse the issue but I don't know of any in PMR/GCA. So yes, it is perfectly possible the TCZ is to blame and it is probably worth speaking to your rheumy team

[Sharitone]

I haven't had it, but I was warned before starting toc that I should be very careful about sun exposure as the effects can be more extreme. I was advised to take all the usual precautions, sunblock, hat, etc, only more so!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

Interesting - never mentioned here and we do have a lot of sun!!!!! I don't go out in full sun if I can help it - far too hot!!

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

Not a problem we've had this year😞

Did they also warn you off unpasteurised and blue cheeses?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

No! Probably a waste of breath here!

[WaltzG]

Exactly the same!! Weekly injections came up with scaby red rash on both sides of nose. Thought allergy to sunglasses initially. They come and go reacting to sunlight!! Now I know what they are! Dr didn't! I am never in full sun avoid where can.

[nallufl24]

I didn’t notice that at all with TCZ. However, I definitely couldn’t be in the sun with prednisone. I would get unsightly dark spots on my skin.

[Chiqui1950 in reply to nallufl24]

Thank you for sharing!! Now I understand where my dark spots came from☺️

[LemonZest11]

I've been injecting tcz for nearly 4 years now, and never had an issue with the sun. I live in one of the sunniest places in the world, Western Australia. But we all react differently.