 Receiving canakinumab (Ilaris)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed canakinumab, which is used to treat auto-inflammatory diseases, known as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes. These syndromes include familial cold auto-inflammatory syndrome and Muckle-Wells syndrome. The brand name of this drug is Ilaris.
How you'll receive canakinumab
This drug is given by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every 8 weeks.
What to do if you miss a dose
Doses are given by your health care provider. If you miss a dose, reschedule your appointment to receive the dose as soon as possible.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: cold symptoms, diarrhea, flu, runny nose, nausea, headache, sore throat, weight gain.
Less common: injection site reaction (redness, warmth, swelling, itching).
What you must know about other medications
Other drugs could cause problems if you combine them with this drug. For example, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors or interleukin-1 blockers other than canakinumab may increase your risk of infection. Warfarin may alter the level of canakinumab in your system. Tell any health care provider who takes care of you that you're taking this drug.
Special directions
- Inform your health care provider if you think you have an infection; are being treated for an infection; have signs of infection; have a history of an infection that keeps coming back, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or tuberculosis; have immune system problems; or if you're scheduled to have any immunizations before receiving this drug.
Keep in mind
- Risk of serious life-threatening infection exists. Notify your health care provider if you experience fever, chills, cough, body aches, redness in a part of your body, warmth and swelling of the skin, and fatigue.
- It's unknown how this drug could affect an unborn baby. Use contraceptive measures while taking this drug. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, consult your health care provider.
- It's unknown how this drug could affect a nursing baby. Consult with your health care provider; another method of feeding the baby may be necessary.
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