Anakinra is used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Anakinra may also help slow the progress of the disease.
Anakinra is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Anakinra may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anakinra or to other medicines that contain E. coli bacteria proteins. You also should not use anakinra if you have an active infection.
Before using anakinra, 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.
Anakinra 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 this medication to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anakinra or to other medicines that contain E. coli bacteria proteins. You also should not use anakinra if you have an active infection.
To make sure anakinra is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- an active or chronic infection;
- a history of recurrent infections;
- fever, chills, or open sores on your skin;
- a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines):
- bone marrow suppression;
- asthma;
- kidney disease; or
- if you are allergic to latex.
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 this medication to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
Anakinra Side Effects
Serious infections may occur during treatment with anakinra. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:
- fever, sweating, chills, tired feeling;
- feeling short of breath;
- cough, sore throat;
- sores in your mouth and throat; or
- flu symptoms, weight loss.
- nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain;
- headache;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or
- redness, bruising, pain, or swelling where the injection was given.
Anakinra Interactions
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
You may have a higher risk of infection from anakinra if you are also using:
- certolizumab (Cimzia);
- etanercept (Enbrel);
- golimumab (Simponi);
- infliximab (Remicade);
- adalimumab (Humira); or
- cancer medicines, steroids, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
Anakinra Dosage
Anakinra 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.Anakinra 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 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 anakinra 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 anakinra regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Anakinra 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 anakinra. Visit your doctor regularly.
Call your doctor if your arthritis symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using anakinra.
Store in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Protect from light.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed.
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.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of anakinra.
