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Kineret (anakinra) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA). DIRA is a rare disease that causes inflammation in the body.
Kineret is a medicine called an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). It blocks interleukin-1 alpha and beta, which are proteins involved in inflammation.
DIRA is a rare disease. In DIRA, the body does not have enough IL-1Ra. This can lead to too much inflammation in the skin and bones.
In DIRA, Kineret helps reduce inflammation that can affect the skin and bones.
Doctors prescribe Kineret when someone has DIRA.
Kineret is given as an injection under the skin. It should be injected at about the same time each day. Individuals or caregivers may give the injection after a healthcare provider trains them and makes sure they can do it correctly.
Kineret can be injected into the outer upper arms, belly area, front of the thighs, or upper outer buttocks. Do not inject it within 2 inches of the belly button. Use a different injection site each time.
Do not inject Kineret into skin that is bruised, discolored, hard, thick, lumpy, tender, damaged, scarred, or has stretch marks.
The recommended starting dose of Kineret for DIRA is 1 to 2 milligrams per kilogram daily. This means the dose is based on body weight.
A healthcare provider may adjust the dose by 0.5 to 1 milligram per kilogram daily at a time. The dose can be adjusted up to 8 milligrams per kilogram daily to help control active inflammation.
For individuals with severe kidney problems or end-stage kidney disease, doctors should consider giving the prescribed dose every other day.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Kineret for DIRA, the most common side effects include:
Kineret can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Sobi, the manufacturer of Kineret, offers the Kineret ON TRACK program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per prescription.
The Kineret ON TRACK program also offers information about financial assistance options, access to the Kineret QuickStart Program, and injection training and support when prescribed by a healthcare provider. The copay assistance program is not valid for people whose prescription claims are reimbursed by state or federal government programs.
To learn more, visit the Kineret support website or call 866-547-0644.
Before starting Kineret, your doctor will test or check your neutrophil (white blood cell) count and test you for latent (hidden) tuberculosis.
Do not get live vaccines while using Kineret.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to anakinra, proteins made from E. coli, or any ingredients in Kineret.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take certain other medicines that affect the immune system, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers.
Before starting Kineret, tell your doctor if you:
Do not use Kineret if you have a known allergy to E. coli-derived proteins, Kineret, or any ingredient in Kineret.
Kineret is also FDA-approved to treat people with a form of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) called neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) and rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
If you miss a dose, ask your doctor when you should take your next injection.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Kineret, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Kineret for DIRA?
In a long-term study, Kineret was studied in 9 patients with genetically confirmed DIRA. They were ages 1 month to 9 years when they started Kineret. They were treated for up to 10 years.
All 9 patients reached inflammatory remission while taking Kineret. This means they met all of these goals: C-reactive protein (CRP) was 5 milligrams per liter or less, they had no pustulosis (many small bumps on the skin that are filled with pus), they had no inflammatory bone disease, and they were not using glucocorticoids.
How long does Kineret take to work for DIRA?
The DIRA study did not say exactly how long Kineret took to work.
In the study, all 9 patients with DIRA reached inflammatory remission while taking Kineret. This means their inflammation improved based on the study's goals.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Kineret for DIRA?
Before you start Kineret, your doctor should check your neutrophil count. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help fight infection.
After you start Kineret, your doctor should check this count every month for the first three months. After that, it should be checked every three months for up to one year.
If hard protein deposits form at the injection site, your doctor should check for protein in your urine. This can help look for systemic amyloidosis, which means amyloid protein has built up in other parts of the body.
On myPIteam, people share their experiences with primary immunodeficiency, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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