anakinra

This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to slow joint damage and reduces the joint pain/swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis so that you can move better. Anakinra is a man-made form of a natural protein (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) made by the body. It helps to block the effects of another protein (interleukin-1) which can cause joint pain/swelling/stiffness.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using anakinra and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you are giving the shots yourself, you will be trained by a health care professional on how to properly prepare and inject this product. If any of the information is unclear, consult your health care professional. This medication is injected under the skin (subcutaneously), usually once a day or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not shake this medication. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Let the medication warm to room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes before injecting it. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. It is important to change the location of the injection site daily to avoid problem areas under the skin. Do not inject this medication in an area that is tender, red, bruised, or hard or which has scars or stretch marks. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Do not reuse the syringe. Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after 4 weeks or if it worsens.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: abatacept, TNF blockers (such as adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, infliximab). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as absolute neutrophil count) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before using anakinra, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to proteins made from a certain bacteria (E. coli); or to latex; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: recent/current infection, immune system problems (such as HIV disease), kidney disease, asthma. Anakinra can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose). Older adults may be at greater risk for infections while using this drug. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light. Do not freeze. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Redness, bruising, swelling, and pain at the injection site may occur. These skin reactions are usually mild and may last 2 to 4 weeks. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Anakinra has caused very serious infections (such as skin/bone/joint infections, pneumonia). Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of an infection, including: fever/chills, persistent sore throat, cough with mucus, spreading redness/swelling/tenderness of the skin, bone pain. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.