Kineret (anakinra) reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that are involved in inflammatory and immune responses.
Kineret is used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Anakinra may also help slow the progress of the disease.
Kineret is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Kineret is also used for the treatment of children and adults with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID).
Kineret may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Kineret if you are allergic to anakinra or to other medicines that contain E. coli bacteria proteins. You also should not use Kineret if you have an active infection.
Before using Kineret, tell your doctor if you have asthma, kidney disease, a latex allergy, a weak immune system, an active or chronic infection, or signs of infection such as fever, chills, or open sores on your skin.
Kineret can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, flu symptoms, mouth sores, weight loss, or feeling tired or short of breath.
You may have a higher risk of infection if you are also using adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), cancer medicines, steroids, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
Do not give Kineret to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
Before using Kineret
You should not use Kineret if you are allergic to anakinra or to other medicines that contain E. coli bacteria proteins. You also should not use Kineret if you have an active infection.
To make sure Kineret is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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an active or chronic infection;
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a history of recurrent infections;
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fever, chills, or open sores on your skin;
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a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines):
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bone marrow suppression;
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asthma;
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kidney disease; or
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if you are allergic to latex.
FDA pregnancy category B. Kineret is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether anakinra passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give Kineret to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
How should I use Kineret?
Kineret is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Kineret is usually given once per day, or once every other day. Follow your doctor"s instructions. Inject your dose at the same time of day when you use the medication.
Use a different place on your stomach, thigh, buttocks, or upper arm each time you give the injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject Kineret into the same place two times in a row. Each injection should be given at least 1 inch away from where you last injected the medicine.
Do not shake the prefilled syringe or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors, looks cloudy, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.
Each prefilled syringe of Kineret is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.
Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Use Kineret regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Kineret can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. You will need regular medical tests to be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Your doctor may also want to check your blood cells for several months after you stop using Kineret. Visit your doctor regularly.
Call your doctor if your arthritis symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Kineret.
Store Kineret in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Protect from light.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed.
Kineret dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:
100 mg subcutaneously once daily
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Kineret.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid?
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Kineret, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), oral typhoid vaccine, and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Kineret side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Kineret: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Serious infections may occur during treatment with Kineret. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:
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fever, sweating, chills, tired feeling;
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feeling short of breath;
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cough, sore throat;
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sores in your mouth and throat; or
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flu symptoms, weight loss.
Less serious Kineret side effects may include:
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nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain;
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headache;
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cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or
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redness, bruising, pain, or swelling where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Kineret?
You may have a higher risk of infection from Kineret if you are also using:
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Kineret. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
