What is the Role of Sarilumab in Managing PMR?

September 2025

In this video, Claudia Rivera Salas, NP, a rheumatology nurse practitioner in East Lansing, Michigan, discusses the role of sarilumab in the management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Sarilumab is a fully human IL-6 receptor blocker administered as a 200 mg subcutaneous injection every two weeks. By targeting IL-6, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine driving muscle pain, stiffness, and systemic inflammation in PMR, sarilumab helps reduce disease activity, prevent flares, and enable more successful steroid tapering. This therapy offers patients faster relief and the ability to lower or even withdraw corticosteroids while maintaining long-term disease control. Compared to placebo and even methotrexate, sarilumab has been shown to improve sustained remission rates with less steroid exposure, providing a safer and more effective treatment option for PMR. Learn how IL-6 inhibition is reshaping treatment strategies and supporting better outcomes for patients living with polymyalgia rheumatica.