Kineret Medication - Uses & Side Effects

ANAKINRA (Kineret®) is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Anakinra is often given in combination with other agents such as corticosteroids (examples: dexamethasone or prednisone), anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, or other drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Generic anakinra injections are not yet available.

Kineret Dosage

• The dosage is one pre-filled, 100-milligram syringe each day. Higher doses have no greater effect.

Uses of Kineret

• Anakinra is a protein medication used, either alone or in combination with other medications, to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (e.g., pain, swelling).

Side Effects of Kineret

The most common side effect of Kineret is a reaction at the injection site, including redness, swelling, inflammation, and pain. These reactions usually disappear after the first month. Other side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• bone and joint infections
• diarrhea
• flu-like symptoms
• headache
• nausea
• serious infections such as cellulitis and pneumonia
• sinus inflammation
• upper respiratory infections

Warnings and precautions before taking Kineret:

• Because of Kineret's effect on the immune system, it has not been tested in people with immune disorders or chronic infections. Do not start taking Kineret while you have an infection. Stop taking it and contact your doctor if you develop an infection. People with asthma have a higher risk of infection while using Kineret. Older adults are more prone to infections, and should use Kineret with caution.
• Do not take a live vaccine while using Kineret; it's possible that you could contract the disease, although there's no evidence of this happening to date. It's also possible that Kineret could render any vaccination--live or killed--ineffective.
• Use Kineret with caution if you have kidney disease. This condition makes a reaction to the drug more likely.
• Anakinra may put your body at an increased risk for serious infections. This drug is not recommended if you currently have an infection or an infection-related illness (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis).

Drug Interaction :- Arthritis drugs classified as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents increase the risk of infection just as Kineret does, and taking the two types of drug together further increases the risk. Therefore, combining Kineret and a TNF-blocking agent is not recommended. TNF-blocking agents include:

• Infliximab (Remicade)
  
• Etanercept (Enbrel)

Overdose

Serious or life-threatening side effects are unlikely to occur from an overdose of anakinra. Contact your doctor or seek medical attention if an overdose of anakinra is suspected. An overdose of adalimumab is unlikely to be harmful.