What is the most important information I should know about anakinra?
In rare cases, people receiving anakinra have developed serious infections. Notify your
doctor immediately if you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, or any other sign of infection. Treatment
with anakinra should not be started in patients with active infections or those taking other medicines that
may suppress the
immune system. The use of anakinra in combination with
etanercept (
Enbrel),
infliximab (
Remicade),
adalimumab (
Humira), or other medicines used to treat
rheumatoid arthritis, may
also increase the risk of a serious infection.
What is anakinra?
Anakinra reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that are involved in inflammatory and
immune responses.
Anakinra is used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in patients
who have had an inadequate response to one or more antirheumatic drugs. Anakinra may be used in
combination with other antirheumatic medications.
Anakinra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using anakinra?
In rare cases, people receiving anakinra have developed serious infections. Notify your
doctor immediately if you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, or any other sign of infection. Treatment
with anakinra should not be started in patients with active infections or those taking other medicines that
may suppress the immune system. The use of anakinra in combination with etanercept (Enbrel),
infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), or other medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, may
also increase the risk of a serious infection.
Do not use anakinra without first talking to your doctor if you
-
are currently taking etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), or
adalimumab (Humira) to treat rheumatoid arthritis;
-
have an active infection or a history of recurrent infection;
-
have recently been exposed to varicella (chickenpox) virus;
-
have a bone marrow disease;
-
have a suppressed immune system due to a medical
condition or treatment with medication;
-
have recently received a live vaccine; or
-
have kidney disease.
You may not be able to use anakinra, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Anakinra is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an
unborn baby. Do not use anakinra without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether anakinra passes into breast milk. Do not use anakinra without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The safety and effectiveness of anakinra have not been established for pediatric patients.
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