Kineret

Generic name:anakinra [ an-na-KIN-rah ]
Drug classes:Antirheumatics, Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on May 11, 2021.

What is Kineret?

Kineret reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that are involved in inflammatory and immune responses.

Kineret is used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Kineret may also help slow the progress of the disease. This medicine is usually given after other arthritis medications did not work or have stopped working.

Kineret is also used in newborn babies to treat a rare genetic condition called neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). NOMID is a form of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). This condition causes uncontrolled inflammation in many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and central nervous system.

Kineret is also used to control symptoms of a condition called Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) in adults and children. DIRA is a very rare genetic condition that causes a severe inflammatory reaction during the first days of life and can lead to organ failure throughout the body.

Warnings

You should not use Kineret if you are allergic to medicines that contain E. coli bacteria proteins, or if you have an active infection.

Before using Kineret, tell your doctor if you have asthma, kidney disease, a latex allergy, a weak immune system, an active or chronic infection, or signs of infection such as fever, chills, or open sores on your skin.

Kineret can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, flu symptoms, mouth sores, weight loss, or feeling tired or short of breath.

You may have a higher risk of infection if you are also using adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), cancer medicines, steroids, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Do not give Kineret to anyone under 18 years old without medical advic

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Kineret if you are allergic to anakinra or if you have:

• an active infection; or

• an allergy to any medicine that contains E. coli bacteria proteins.

To make sure Kineret is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;

• an active or chronic infection;

• fever, chills, or open sores on your skin;

• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines):

• asthma; or

• tuberculosis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or pl...