Anakinra
Also sold as: Kineret
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonists (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action KINERET blocks the biologic activity of IL-1 alpha and beta by competitively inhibiting IL-1 binding to the interleukin-1 type I receptor (IL-1RI), which is expressed in a wide variety of tissues and organs. IL-1 production is induced in response to inflammatory stimuli and mediates various physiologic responses including inflammatory and immunological responses. IL-1 has a broad range of activities including cartilage degradation by its induction of the rapid loss of proteoglycans, as well as stimulation of bone resorption. The levels of the naturally occurring IL-1Ra in synovium and synovial fluid from RA patients are not sufficient to compete with the elevated amount of locally produced IL-1. Spontaneous mutations in the CIAS1/NLRP3 gene have been identified in a majority of patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes such as NOMID. CIAS1/NLRP3 encodes for cryopyrin, a component of the inflammasome. The activated inflammasome results in proteolytic maturation and secretion of IL-1β, which has an important role in the systemic inflammation and manifestations of NOMID. DIRA is an autosomal recessive monogenic autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the IL1RN gene leading to loss of secretion of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). The deficiency of IL-1Ra results in unopposed IL-1α and IL-1β pro-inflammatory signaling causing systemic inflammation with skin and bone involvement.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE KINERET is an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist indicated for: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Reduction in signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of structural damage in moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, in patients 18 years of age or older who have failed 1 or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) ( 1.1 ) Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) Treatment of Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID) ( 1.2 ) Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) Treatment of Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Active Rheumatoid Arthritis KINERET is indicated for the reduction in signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of structural damage in moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in patients 18 years of age or older who have failed 1 or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). KINERET can be used alone or in combination with DMARDs other than Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocking agents [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. 1.2 Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) KINERET is indicated for the treatment of Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID). 1.3 Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) KINERET is indicated for the treatment of Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA)
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) The recommended dose of KINERET for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg/day administered daily by subcutaneous injection. The dose should be administered at approximately the same time every day ( 2.1 ) Physicians should consider a dose of 100 mg of KINERET administered every other day for RA patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) ( 2.4 ) Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg daily for NOMID patients. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. ( 2.2 ) Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed KINERET dose every other day for NOMID patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) ( 2.4 ) Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg daily for patients with DIRA. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. ( 2.3 ) Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed KINERET dose every other day for patients with DIRA who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) ( 2.4 ) See full prescribing information for administration instructions ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Active Rheumatoid Arthritis The recommended dose of KINERET for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg/day administered daily by subcutaneous injection. Higher doses did not result in a higher response. The dose should be administered at approximately the same time every day. 2.2 Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg for NOMID patients. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. Adjust doses in 0.5 to 1 mg/kg increments. Once daily administration is generally recommended, but the dose may be split into twice daily administrations. Each syringe is intended for a single use. A new syringe must be used for each dose. Any unused portion after each dose should be discarded. 2.3 Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg daily for patients with DIRA. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. Adjust doses in 0.5 to 1 mg/kg increments. Each syringe is intended for a single use. A new syringe must be used for each dose. Any unused portion after each dose should be discarded. 2.4 Renal Impairment Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed dose of KINERET every other day for patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.5 Administration Instructions on appropriate use should be given by the healthcare provider to the patient or caregiver. Patients or caregivers should not be allowed to administer KINERET until the patient or caregiver has demonstrated a thorough understanding of procedures and an ability to inject the product correctly. The prescribed dose of KINERET should be administered according to the instructions for use and any unused portions discarded. After administration of KINERET it is essential to follow the proper procedure for disposal of syringes and any residual drug. Recommend patients to rotate their injection sites to reduce the risk of injection site reactions and injection site amyloid deposits [see Warnings and precautions ( 5.5 )] . See the “Information for Patients” insert for detailed instructions on the handling and injection of KINERET. Do not use KINERET beyond the expiration date shown on the carton. Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration before administration. There may be trace amounts of small, translucent-to-white amorphous particles of protein in the solution. The prefilled syringe should not be used if the solution is discolored or cloudy, or if foreign particulate matter is present. If the number of translucent-to-white amorphous particles in a given syringe appears excessive, do not use this syringe.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) are injection site reaction, worsening of rheumatoid arthritis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, arthralgia, flu like-symptoms, and abdominal pain ( 6.1 ) NOMID The most common AEs during the first 6 months of treatment (incidence > 10%) are injection site reaction, headache, vomiting, arthralgia, pyrexia, and nasopharyngitis ( 6.2 ) DIRA The most common AEs are upper respiratory tract infections, rash, pyrexia, influenza like illness, and gastroenteritis ( 6.3 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Swedish Orphan Biovitrum at 1-866-547-0644 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience in RA The most serious adverse reactions were: Serious Infections – [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Neutropenia, particularly when used in combination with TNF blocking agents The most common adverse reaction with KINERET is injection-site reactions. These reactions were the most common reason for withdrawing from studies. The data described herein reflect exposure to KINERET in 3025 patients, including 2124 exposed for at least 6 months and 884 exposed for at least one year. Studies 1 and 4 used the recommended dose of 100 mg per day. The patients studied were representative of the general population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). In Studies 1 and 4, 71% of patients developed an ISR, which was typically reported within the first 4 weeks of therapy. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). In Studies 1 and 4, 71% of patients developed an ISR, which was typically reported within the first 4 weeks of therapy. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). In Studies 1 and 4, 71% of patients developed an ISR, which was typically reported within the first 4 weeks of therapy. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Infections In Studies 1 and 4 combined, the incidence of infection was 39% in the KINERET-treated patients and 37% in placebo-treated patients during the first 6 months of blinded treatment. The incidence of serious infections in Studies 1 and 4 was 2% in KINERET-treated patients and 1% in patients receiving placebo over 6 months. The incidence of serious infection over 1 year was 3% in KINERET-treated patients and 2% in patients receiving placebo. These infections consisted primarily of bacterial events such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and bone and joint infections. Majority of patients (73%) continued on study drug after the infection resolved. No serious opportunistic infections were reported. Patients with asthma appeared to be at higher risk of developing serious infections when treated with KINERET (8 of 177 patients, 4.5%) compared to placebo (0 of 50 patients, 0%). In open-label extension studies, the overall rate of serious infections was stable over time and comparable to that observed in controlled trials. In clinical studies and postmarketing experience, cases of opportunistic infections have been observed and included fungal, mycobacterial and bacterial pathogens. Infections have been noted in all organ systems and have been reported in patients receiving KINERET alone or in combination with immunosuppressive agents. In patients who received both KINERET and etanercept for up to 24 weeks, the incidence of serious infections was 7%. The most common infections consisted of bacterial pneumonia (4 cases) and cellulitis (4 cases). One patient with pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonia died due to respiratory failure. Malignancies Among 5300 RA patients treated with KINERET in clinical trials for a mean of 15 months (approximately 6400 pa
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No drug-drug interaction studies in human subjects have been conducted. Toxicologic and toxicokinetic studies in rats did not demonstrate any alterations in the clearance or toxicologic profile of either methotrexate or KINERET when the two agents were administered together. A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in RA patients treated with concurrent KINERET and etanercept therapy than in patients treated with etanercept alone. Use of KINERET in combination with TNF blocking agents is not recommended ( 7 ) 7.1 TNF Blocking Agents A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in patients treated with concurrent KINERET and etanercept therapy than in patients treated with etanercept alone [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Two percent of patients treated concurrently with KINERET and etanercept developed neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L). Use of KINERET in combination with TNF blocking agents is not recommended.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS KINERET is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to E coli -derived proteins, KINERET, or any components of the product [see Hypersensitivity Reactions ( 5.3 )] . Known hypersensitivity to E coli -derived proteins, Kineret, or to any component of the product. ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.