FDA greenlights treatment for giant cell arteritis: 3 things to know

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday expanded the approved use of Roche's arthritis drug, Actemra.

Here are three things to know.

1. The FDA first approved Actemra in 2010 as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
   
   

2. The drug may now be used to treat adults with giant cell arteritis — a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune condition caused by inflammation of large and medium-sized arteries in the head or aorta.
   
   

3. Actemra represents the first FDA-approved treatment for giant cell arteritis.
   
   

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