Canakinumab
Generic name: canakinumab [ KAN-a-KIN-ue-mab ]
Brand name: Ilaris
Dosage forms: subcutaneous powder for injection (150 mg); subcutaneous solution (150 mg/mL)
Drug class:Interleukin inhibitors
What is canakinumab?
Canakinumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks certain proteins in the body that can affect inflammation and other immune responses. Canakinumab is used to treat certain types of periodic fever syndromes, sometimes called auto-inflammatory syndromes.
Periodic fever syndromes are rare and often inherited conditions caused by mutations in certain genes; usually genes that are involved in producing a certain protein or enzyme in the body. People with a periodic fever syndrome have episodes of fever and inflammation without other causes such as infection or virus.
Canakinumab is used to treat the following periodic fever syndromes in adults and children who are at least 4 years old:
Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes, including Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome and Muckle-Wells Syndrome
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome
Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome, also called Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency
Familial Mediterranean Fever
Canakinumab is also used to treat Still's disease including Adult-Onset Still's Disease and Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old.
Canakinumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with canakinumab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, sweating, tiredness, cough, shortness of breath, skin sores, warm or painful areas on your body, diarrhea, stomach pain, or weight loss.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use canakinumab if you are allergic to canakinumab.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, if anyone in your household has tuberculosis, or if you have recently traveled to an area where tuberculosis is common.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
an active or chronic infection;
low white blood cell counts;
a weak immune system;
HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C;
a history of recurrent infections; or
if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccine.
Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you begin treatment with canakinumab.
Treatment with canakinumab may increase your risk of developing cancer. Talk to your doctor about y...
