Canakinumab (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 16, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Ilaris

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Immune Modulator

Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody

Uses for canakinumab

Canakinumab injection is used to treat cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS). CAPS is a rare, inherited disease of the immune system.

Canakinumab injection is also used to treat tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome (HIDS)/mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Canakinumab injection is also used to treat active Still's disease, including adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA).

CAPS, TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, and FMF are autoinflammatory periodic fever syndromes and Still's disease is an autoinflammatory disease. Autoinflammatory conditions occur when the body produces too much of a chemical called interleukin-1 beta. This chemical causes inflammation (swelling) and patients may have a fever, headache, skin rash, joint or muscle pain, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Canakinumab is an interleukin-1 beta blocker. It helps prevent inflammation by keeping the interleukin-1 beta from working properly.

Canakinumab is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before using canakinumab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For canakinumab, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to canakinumab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of canakinumab injection in children with TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, and FMF. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children with CAPS, FCAS, or MWS younger than 4 years of age and in children with SJIA younger than 2 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of canakinumab injection have not been performed in the geriatric population. However, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving canakinumab, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are tak...