Ilaris

Generic name:canakinumab [ KAN-a-KIN-ue-mab ]
Drug class:Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 7, 2020.

What is Ilaris?

Ilaris 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.

Ilaris 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 (FMF)

Ilaris 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.

Warnings

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with Ilaris. 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 Ilaris 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.

To make sure Ilaris is safe for you, 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 Ilaris.

Treatment with Ilaris may increase your risk of developing cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you use Ilaris while you are pregnant, make sure any doctor caring for your new baby knows that you used the medicine during pregnancy. Being exposed to Ilaris in the womb could af...