Abstract Objective To assess the safety and the efficacy of TNF-α antagonists and tocilizumab in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Methods A total of 209 patients with TAK median age 29 years (interquartile range 7–62), 186 (89%) females were included. They received either TNF-α antagonists n = 132 (63%) with 172 lines; infliximab (n = 109), adalimumab (n = 45), golimumab (n = 8), certolizumab (n = 6) and etanercept (n = 5) or tocilizumab n = 77 (37%) with 121 lines; i.v. and s.c. in 95 and 26 cases, respectively. Results A complete response at 6 months was evidenced in 101/152 (66%) patients on TNF-α antagonists and 75/107 (70%) patients on tocilizumab. Age ≥30 years odds ratio 2.09 (95% CI 1.09, 3.99) was associated with complete response, whereas vascular signs OR 0.26 (95% CI 0.1, 0.65), baseline prednisone ≥20 mg/day OR 0.51 (95% CI 0.28, 0.93) were negatively associated with the complete response to TNF-α antagonists or tocilizumab. During a median follow-up of 36 months, 103 relapses were noted. Supra-aortic branches and thoracic aorta involvement HR 2.44 (95% CI 1.06, 5.65) and 3.66 (1.18, 11.4), respectively and systemic signs at baseline HR 2.01 (95% CI 1.30, 3.11) were significantly associated with relapse. The cumulative incidence of treatment discontinuation and relapse were similar in TNF-α antagonists and tocilizumab. Fifty-eight (20%) adverse effects occurred on biologic targeted therapies 37 (21%) on TNF-α antagonists and 21 (17%) on tocilizumab (P = 0.4), respectively. Conclusion This large multicentre study shows high efficacy of biologic targeted treatments in refractory TAK. Efficacy, relapse and drug retention rate were equivalent with TNF-α antagonists and tocilizumab.