All About Ilaris

What is Ilaris?

If you have certain forms of periodic fever syndrome or Still’s disease, your doctor may suggest treatment with Ilaris.

Ilaris is a prescription medication used to treat certain kinds of:

• periodic fever syndrome (conditions that cause a recurring fever not due to infection), including:
  • cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes in adults and certain children
  • tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome in adults and certain children
  • hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency in adults and certain children
  • familial Mediterranean fever in adults and certain children
• Still’s disease, including:
  • adult-onset Still’s disease
  • systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in certain children

To learn more about the use of Ilaris for these conditions, see the “What is Ilaris used for?” section below.

Ilaris basics

Ilaris comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under the skin by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

Ilaris contains the active ingredient canakinumab, which is a biologic medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Biologics are medications made from parts of living organisms. Ilaris is not available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic medications, biosimilars are made for biologics.) Instead, canakinumab comes only as the brand-name drug Ilaris.

Keep reading to learn more about Ilaris, including the medication’s dosage, side effects, cost, and more.

What is the dosage for Ilaris injections?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Ilaris that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but your doctor will determine the dosage you receive.

Form and strength

Ilaris comes as a solution that’s given as an injection under the skin by your doctor or another healthcare professional. The drug is available in one strength: 150 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).

Recommended dosages

The recommended dosages of Ilaris depend on the condition it’s used to treat. The drug is used to treat:

• periodic fever syndrome, including:
  • cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)
  • tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)
  • hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome (HIDS)/mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD)
  • familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)

• Still’s disease, including:
  • adult-onset Still’s disease
  • systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

See below for more details.

Ilaris dosage for CAPS

To treat CAPS, you’ll receive an Ilaris injection every 8 weeks. The amount of Ilaris you receive will depend on your body weight.

Ilaris dosage for TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, and FMF

When used to treat TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, or FMF, Ilaris is typically injected once every 4 weeks. The amount of Ilaris you receive will depend on your body weight.

Ilaris dosage for Still’s disease

For Still’s disease, Ilaris is typically injected once every 4 weeks. The amount of Ilaris you receive will depend on your body weight.

Questions about dosing for Ilaris

Below are some common questions about the dosing of Ilaris.

• What if I miss a dose of Ilaris? Call your doctor’s office right away if you miss an appointment to receive an Ilaris injection. They can help reschedule your appointment as soon as possible.
• Will I need to use Ilaris long term? If you and your doctor agree that Ilaris is working well for you, you’ll likely use the drug long term.
• How long does Ilaris take to work? Ilaris begins working as soon as you receive your first dose. But it may take some time before you notice the symptoms of your condition beginning to ease. Talk with your doctor to learn more about how they’ll monitor whether Ilaris is working for you.

What are the side effects of Ilaris?

Like most drugs, Ilaris may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Ilaris may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Ilaris. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Ilaris can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the prescribing information for Ilaris.

Mild side effects of Ilaris that have been reported include:

• bone or muscle pain
• belly pain
• diarrhea
• headache
• injection site reaction, including bruising and pain
• mild infection, such as the common cold or the flu
• nausea
• runny or stuffy nose
• stomach flu
• vertigo (feeling of dizziness and spinning)
• weight gain
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Ilaris can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Ilaris, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Ilaris that have been reported include:

• serious infection, including pneumonia and tuberculosis
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Ilaris. It doesn’t appear that allergic reactions occurred in clinical studies of Ilaris. But these reactions have been reported since the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Ilaris. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What does Ilaris cost?

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have insurance, you may be eligible for copay assistance. If you don’t have insurance, you may qualify for financial assistance for Ilaris through the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

What is Ilaris used for?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription medications to treat certain conditions. Conditions that a drug is approved to treat are known as the drug’s indications. See below for details on Ilaris’s indications.

llaris and periodic fever syndromes

Ilaris is used to treat the following periodic fever syndromes:

• cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes in adults and children ages 4 years and older
• tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome in adults and certain children
• hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency in adults and certain children
• familial Mediterranean fever in adults and certain children

Periodic fever syndromes are conditions that cause a recurring fever that’s not due to an infection. Between fevers, you may not experience symptoms. But you may experience other symptoms in addition to fever. These can depend on the specific fever syndrome you have. Some common symptoms include joint pain, skin rash, and feeling weak or tired.

These conditions are believed to be caused by certain changes (mutations) in genes. These changes cause inflammation (swelling or damage) throughout your body, resulting in symptoms associated with periodic fever syndromes. Ilaris works by blocking a certain protein, which reduces inflammation in your body.

Ilaris and Still’s disease

Ilaris is used to treat Still’s disease, including:

• adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD)
• systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in children ages 2 years and older

Still’s disease is a type of inflammatory arthritis. The kind of Still’s disease you have is mostly determined by whether the condition was diagnosed when you were a child or an adult.

Still’s disease is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking your own body. With AOSD and SJIA, this inflammation primarily affects your joints.

AOSD and SJIA have similar symptoms, including:

• joint pain
• swollen joints or lymph nodes
• fever
• skin rash

Ilaris works to treat Still’s disease by blocking a certain protein, which reduces inflammation in your body.

How is Ilaris given?

Your doctor will explain how Ilaris will be given to you. They’ll also explain how much you’ll be given and how often. This is known as a drug’s administration.

Receiving Ilaris

Ilaris comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under the skin by your doctor. Your doctor will give you details about what to expect at your appointments to receive Ilaris injections.

If you have questions about receiving Ilaris, talk with your doctor.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Ilaris and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

• Before your appointment, write down questions, such as:
  • How will Ilaris affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
• Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
• If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

What are some frequently asked questions about Ilaris?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Ilaris.

Is Ilaris used to treat gout or lung cancer?

Ilaris currently isn’t approved to treat gout or lung cancer. But doctors may still prescribe the medication off-label to treat these or other conditions. (Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)

One study showed that Ilaris may have some benefit for certain people with gout. Further research is needed to determine whether Ilaris may be safe and effective for this condition.

If you have questions about the off-label uses of Ilaris, talk with your doctor.

How does Ilaris compare with Kineret?

Ilaris and Kineret are prescription medications that have some similarities and differences.

Ilaris and Kineret belong to the same group of drugs, and they’re both approved to treat certain cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes. But the specific syndromes they treat are different.

Ilaris and Kineret can cause different side effects, and their dosing also differs.

To learn more about how these medications compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Ilaris weaken the immune system?

Yes, Ilaris works by weakening your immune system.

Certain side effects of Ilaris, such as infections, are caused by Ilaris weakening your immune system. Ilaris could also make an existing infection worse. So it’s important to tell your doctor about any current infections you have before you start treatment with Ilaris.

To learn more, see the “What should be considered before using Ilaris?” section directly below. You can also talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have other questions about Ilaris and how it may affect you.

What should be considered before using Ilaris?

Before beginning treatment with Ilaris, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your health history and any medications you may take.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Ilaris, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Ilaris.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Ilaris can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

• tumor necrosis factor blockers, such as adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel)
• other drugs that block the same protein as Ilaris, such as anakinra (Kineret) and rilonacept (Arcalyst)
• the blood thinner warfarin (Jantoven)

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Ilaris. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with the use of Ilaris.

Warnings

Ilaris may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Ilaris is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Ilaris. Factors to consider include those described below.

Current infection. Ilaris works by weakening your immune system, which could make an infection harder to treat. It’s important to let your doctor know if you have an infection before you begin treatment with Ilaris. Your doctor will likely want to treat the infection before you receive your first Ilaris injection.

Low levels of white blood cells. Ilaris can reduce your white blood cell count. If you already have low levels of white blood cells, using Ilaris may worsen your condition. And if you’ve had this condition in the past, it’s not known whether Ilaris treatment will increase your risk of it returning. To learn more about whether Ilaris is safe for you, talk with your doctor.

Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or tuberculosis (TB). Because Ilaris weakens your immune system, it could worsen infections that you currently have, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or TB. Your doctor may want to monitor you closely during treatment if they prescribe Ilaris and you have one of these infections. They may also recommend using a medication other than Ilaris to treat your condition. Your doctor will also likely test you for certain infections before prescribing Ilaris to you.

Risk of macrophage activation syndrome. People with Still’s disease have a risk of developing macrophage activation syndrome. This is a rare, life threatening immune system reaction. If you have Still’s disease, your doctor will monitor you closely during your Ilaris treatment for symptoms of infection or signs that your condition is getting worse.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ilaris or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ilaris. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Ilaris and alcohol

There’s no known interaction between Ilaris and alcohol.

But Ilaris and alcohol can cause similar side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and headache. So drinking alcohol during your Ilaris treatment could make these side effects worse.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe for you to drinking during your Ilaris treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Ilaris while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Ilaris.