Kevzara (sarilumab) vs Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
Kevzara (sarilumab) vs Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
Kevzara (sarilumab) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) are both used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but they work in different ways: Kevzara is an IL-6 receptor antagonist, which means it blocks the activity of interleukin-6, a protein that plays a role in the inflammatory process, while Rinvoq is a JAK inhibitor that blocks Janus kinase enzymes involved in the inflammation pathway. Kevzara is administered as a subcutaneous injection, typically every other week, whereas Rinvoq is taken orally once daily, which may be more convenient for some patients. The choice between Kevzara and Rinvoq should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, taking into account individual patient factors such as disease severity, response to previous treatments, potential side effects, and any coexisting health conditions.
Difference between Kevzara and Rinvoq
| Metric | Kevzara (sarilumab) | Rinvoq (upadacitinib) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Sarilumab | Upadacitinib |
| Indications | Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis | Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis |
| Mechanism of action | Interleukin-6 receptor antagonist | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor |
| Brand names | Kevzara | Rinvoq |
| Administrative route | Subcutaneous injection | Oral |
| Side effects | Upper respiratory infections, elevated liver enzymes, injection site reactions | Upper respiratory infections, nausea, increased blood creatine phosphokinase |
| Contraindications | Hypersensitivity to sarilumab or excipients, active infection | Hypersensitivity to upadacitinib or excipients, active tuberculosis, serious infections |
| Drug class | Monoclonal antibody | Janus kinase inhibitor |
| Manufacturer | Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | AbbVie |
Efficacy
Efficacy of Kevzara (Sarilumab) in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Kevzara (sarilumab) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Clinical trials have demonstrated that Kevzara, when used alone or in combination with methotrexate or other conventional DMARDs, can significantly reduce signs and symptoms of RA. Patients treated with Kevzara have shown improvements in physical function and a slowing of the progression of joint damage, highlighting its efficacy in managing this chronic inflammatory disease.
The MONARCH trial, a phase III study, compared the efficacy of sarilumab monotherapy with adalimumab monotherapy in adults with RA. Results indicated that patients receiving Kevzara experienced greater improvements in disease activity scores and physical function compared to those receiving adalimumab. These findings support the use of Kevzara as a monotherapy option for patients who are not able to use methotrexate.
Efficacy of Rinvoq (Upadacitinib) in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate. Rinvoq can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs. In clinical trials, Rinvoq has shown to significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of RA, improve physical function, and inhibit the progression of structural joint damage. The SELECT series of phase III trials have provided robust data on the efficacy of upadacitinib in various RA patient populations.
For instance, the SELECT-COMPARE trial, which evaluated the efficacy of upadacitinib in combination with methotrexate, demonstrated that a higher proportion of patients achieved disease remission and low disease activity compared to patients treated with placebo plus methotrexate. Furthermore, the SELECT-MONOTHERAPY trial showed that upadacitinib monotherapy was superior to continuing methotrexate in patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate. These results underscore Rinvoq's role as an effective treatment option for RA, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other DMARDs.
Regulatory Agency Approvals
Kevzara
-
European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
-
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
-
Health Canada
-
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
Rinvoq
-
European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
-
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
-
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan
Access Kevzara or Rinvoq today
If Kevzara or Rinvoq are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.
How it works
Make an enquiry
Choose the medicine you want to buy, answer a couple of questions, and upload your prescription to speed things up. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Make an enquiry
Choose the medicine you want to buy, answer a couple of questions, and upload your prescription to speed things up. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Breeze through the paperwork
We'll guide you through the required documents for importing unapproved medicine, ensuring you have all the necessary information.
Get a personalized quote
We’ll prepare a quote for you, including medicine costs and any shipping, administrative, or import fees that may apply.
Receive your medicine
Accept the quote and we’ll handle the rest - sourcing and safely delivering your medicine.
Some text on this page has been automatically generated. Speak to your physician before you start a new treatment or medication.
Let's talk
If you have any questions, call us or send us a message through WhatsApp or email:
Contact us