Tocilizumab and raised blood pressure.

[AliDeJ]

Hello all. I have been on Tcz for almost a year for recurrent GCA-.six injections left in my fridge. I am down to 5mg pred. I have tapered very slowly by 0.5 mg per month. My blood pressure has gone up. This happened after6 months of Tcz. Now a steady 153/100. .my cholesterol is borderline high as well at 6. I contacted the rheumatology helpline who are inundated with queries in the absence of a rheumatologist. An email was sent to a rheumatologist about my concerns asking"should I stop taking Tcz because of hypertension?" He said since I'm so near to the end of the course, then stop. The nurse translated that as "stop if you want to". I don't know if he meant"stop because you are worrying" or "stop because Tcz is doing you harm". Has anyone else had high blood pressure on Tcx? Any thoughts appreciated.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Has your blood pressure been raised all the time you've been on TCZ- or just recently?

.. and you could have edited this post to add in your other drugs rather than start another post... just tap the More V button underneath post and add in what you want to, and then repost..

[AliDeJ in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for the tip re the more v button. I think the high BP started 6 months after starting Tcz. I know hypertension was something which would have prevented me having Tcz.I was OK before I started it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to AliDeJ]

Okay -sorry I don’t know much about TCZ -but hopefully others will be along soon to advise . Does it say anything in information leaflet?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to AliDeJ]

Just answered myself - it can affect BP - up and down.. ..

And diastolic level is high…

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it were me and given all your other "full house of medications that can cause hypertension":

"Amitryptiline has been reported to cause hypertension. Naproxen definitely can cause raised BP or worsen existing hypertension. Reports of raised BP with lansoprazole have not been definitely linked to it but the possibility is there. Risendronate also has it listed as an effect, Difficult to say if calcium could though there are certain populations where it is suspected."

I would try going to 2 weekly injections and see if the BP goes down at all.

Did you start any of those medications more recently? Do you check your BP at home when you say it is steady at those readings?

[AliDeJ in reply to PMRpro]

Hello PMR Pro. Thank you for your reply. I did star Amitryptiline about 6 months ago. It's been a great help in solving a sciatica problem.I do not monitor my BP at home, but it was monitored morning and evening by my surgery who lent me the gadget.

There are so many unknowns in this equation and no face to face medical help. I like your idea of reducing the injections to see what happens to my BP. Thank you for that.

I don't like the thought of wasting Tcz injections, especially as I dont know the real culprit. I just don't like the thought of adding more meds to counteract problems caused by other meds!

Really appreciate your help.

AlideJ

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AliDeJ]

I think we all feel the same - and once the TCZ is in your fridge, only you can use it! However - my medications are a mix but in general I'm not taking much to deal with side effects so I don't mind. spreading the TCZ with longer intervals may also make stopping it less of a shock - you can't do it earlier because the year is by dates and not 52 doses which is silly. There was little difference between weekly and biweekly and patients could have it for 2 years like that for the same expenditure!

All the best!

[BeanC]

I have been on Tocilizumab for nearly four years with no discernible side effects and no symptoms of GCA or RA. I am having to stop because of a recent cancer diagnosis

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to BeanC]

Sorry to hear that - hope all goes well.

[AliDeJ in reply to BeanC]

So sorry to hear that, BeanC. I hope you get the best of care. Thanks for your comment.