Anakinra, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by injection to reduce the pain and swelling and slow the damage from rheumatoid arthritis in adults or treat rare diseases related to cryopyrin protein. Use it exactly as directed.
• You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: interleukin-1 receptor antagonist; disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)

Generic and brand names: anakinra, injection; Kineret

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) to reduce pain and swelling and slow the damage of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults over 18 years of age. It is usually given when other medicines have not worked. It may be used alone or with other medicines.

This medicine is also used to treat rare diseases related to cryopyrin protein.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine, to latex, or to proteins made from E. coli bacteria
• A blood disorder
• A weakened immune system from cancer treatment, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or from taking steroid medicines or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Asthma
• Kidney disease
• Tuberculosis (TB), a positive skin test for TB, or close contact with someone who has TB

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Currently have an infection
• Have any open cuts or sores
• Often have infections or infections come back
• Are scheduled to receive any vaccines

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine comes in prefilled sterile syringes with needles ready for use. There are 7 syringes in each box, one for each day of the week.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. The shots are given just under the skin. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know when to take the medicine and how much medicine to use. Carefully follow the instructions for using this medicine. If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing and giving the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine.

If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider to find out when you should take your next injection.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may lower the number of certain types of blood cells in your body You may get serious infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, or ANY other symptoms of infection. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue or throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Signs of an infection such as a fever, chills, cough, or new sores; unusual bruising or bleeding; chest pain; increased pain, swelling, or redness around your joints; severe skin rash; severe dizziness or fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; unusual sweating.

Other: Irritation, swelling, bruising, stinging, itching, or redness on the skin where the injection was given; tiredness; headache; stomach pain; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Cancer medicines
• Echinacea
• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Other medicines to treat RA such as abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), and leflunomide (Arava)
• Roflumilast (Daliresp)
• Vaccines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine (in syringes with needles) in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not use a syringe that has been left at room temperature for longer than 24 hours. Do not shake the syringes. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not use beyond the expiration date shown on the carton. Do not use prefilled syringes if the solution is discolored or if there are particles in the solution.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.