Kineret (Anakinra) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Arthritis »

What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.

Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.

There are many types of arthritis (over 100 identified, and the number is growing). The types range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many types of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.

The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities (such as gout and pseudogout), hereditary facto...

Read the Arthritis article »

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Kineret Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using anakinra (Kineret)?

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.

How should I use anakinra (Kineret)?

Use anakinra exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Anakinra is used as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection only. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructions on how and where to inject anakinra. Do not inject this medication if you are unsure how.

Anakinra is usually injected once a day. The dose should be injected at approximately the same time every day.

The medication may be allowed to reach room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator about 60 to 90 minutes before administration. This may reduce discomfort during or following the injection.

The medication can be injected into the outer thighs, stomach, back of the upper arms, or buttocks. Rotate the injection site daily to reduce the possibility of soreness or redness. The area of the body being injected does not need to change daily, however each injection site should be at least one inch from the previous day's injection site.

Do not inject anakinra if it is discolored, cloudy, or if it has particles in it. Do not shake the prefilled syringe and do not use anakinra beyond the expiration date shown on the carton. If the solution appears foamy, allow it to sit for a few minutes until it clears.

This medication does not contain a preservative. Therefore, throw away any medication remaining in the syringe after a dose. Do not save the medication for later use.

Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with anakinra to monitor progress and side effects.

Anakinra should be used on a regular basis to get the most benefit.

Store anakinra in the refrigerator (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit/2 to 8 degrees Celsius) away from moisture, heat and light. Do not allow anakinra to freeze.

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