Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ANAKINRA (an-a-KIN-ra)
This medicine is an interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocker used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: 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). Tell your doctor if you currently have, or if you develop any symptoms of an infection such as fever, persistent sore throat, productive cough (e.g., sputum-producing), or unusual weakness. The risk of developing serious infections is even greater if you are also using a tumor necrosis factor drug such as etanercept. Check with your doctor before starting this drug if you are currently receiving etanercept. SOME MEDICINES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS MAY INTERACT with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking etanercept, infliximab, or any TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blocker unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of hypersensitivity to E. coli proteins. Use of this medicine in children is not recommended because safety and efficacy have not been determined. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you have about this medicine. THIS MEDICINE IS SOMETIMES USED AT HOME as an injection. If you are using this medicine at home, a health care professional will provide detailed instructions for its appropriate use. Ask any questions you may have about this medicine or giving injections. DO NOT SHAKE this medicine. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE beyond the expiration date on the container. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if the solution is discolored or contains particles. INJECT THIS MEDICINE at about the same time each day. Discard any unused portion. STORE UNOPENED SYRINGES OF THIS MEDICINE in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 to 46 degrees F). Protect from light and do not freeze. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are using 1 dose daily, use the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE symptoms of a severe allergic reaction including difficulty breathing or tightness of chest, swelling of eyelids, face, or lips, a rash or hives, or severe dizziness, tell your doctor immediately. Do not use any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. USE OF THIS MEDICINE INCREASES YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING A SERIOUS INFECTION. Do not use this medicine if you have an infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. The safety of this medicine is unknown in patients whose immune systems are compromised or in patients with a chronic infection. STOP USING THIS MEDICINE and contact your doctor immediately, if you develop an infection while using this medicine. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE HAVING IMMUNIZATIONS (VACCINATIONS) while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. FOR WOMEN: IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using this medicine include headache, nausea, diarrhea, and mild redness, bruising, and pain at the injection site. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience fever, chills, cough, unexplained bone or joint pain, or redness, pain, or swelling of skin in any area. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience skin rash or hives, difficulty breathing, or severe dizziness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
IMPROVEMENT IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS usually occurs after 1 to 3 months of treatment with this medicine. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when it is full. IF YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
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