Anakinra (Systemic)

Brand Names : Kineret

Before Using This Medicine

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 anakinra, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to anakinra. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, latex, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Anakinra has not been studied in pregnant women. However, anakinra has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether anakinra passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of anakinra in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other 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 taking anakinra, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Vaccines, live virus - These should not be taken while you are taking anakinra.
• Vaccines, inactivated virus or bacterial antigens - Vaccinations may not be effective if you are taking anakinra.

• Etanercept (e.g., Enbrel) - May cause serious infection when used together with anakinra

• Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents (etanercept [e.g., Enbrel], infliximab [e.g., Remicade], and adalimumab [e.g., Humira]) - May make condition worse

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of anakinra. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Active infections - May be worsened by anakinra

• Asthma - Patients with asthma may be at higher risk of getting a serious infection when taking anakinra.

• Immunosuppression - Anakinra has not been studied in patients who have immune system problems. The effects of the medicine in these patients is not known

• Kidney disease - Higher blood levels of anakinra may occur