Canakinumab injection is used to treat some periodic fever syndromes, including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS), Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), and mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD)/hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome, which are inherited conditions in which the body attacks its own tissues and organs and cause fever, inflammation, joint and muscle pain, eye redness Canakinumab injections are also used to treat Still’s disease, including adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), in patients 2 years of age and older. Still’s disease is a condition in which the body attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation, fever, rash, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain. Canakinumab belongs to the group of drugs known as interleukin antagonists. It functions by preventing the body’s natural inflammatory agent, interleukin, from doing its job.

Canakinumab is available as a solution (liquid) that a doctor or nurse will inject subcutaneously (under the skin). Depending on the type of periodic fever syndrome being treated, it is often administered once every 4 or 8 weeks to treat periodic fever syndromes. It is typically administered once every four weeks to treat Still’s disease.

You can begin receiving canakinumab injection at a low dose and then have it progressively increased by your doctor.

When you start canakinumab therapy, your doctor or pharmacist will provide you the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet (Medication Guide). If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The Medication Guide is also available on the manufacturer’s website or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm).

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before receiving canakinumab injection,

• If you have an allergy to canakinumab, any other drugs, or any of the chemicals in canakinumab injection, notify your doctor right away. For a list of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide or speak with your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Adalimumab (Humira), Anakinra (Kineret), Cerolizumab (Cimzia), Etanercept (Enbrel), Golimumab (Simponi, Simponi Aria), Infliximab (Remicade), Rilonacept (Arcalyst), and Warfarin should all be mentioned. Tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, including any not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with canakinumab.
• If you have an immune system disorder or low white blood cell counts, be sure to let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while receiving canakinumab injection.
• Inform your baby’s doctor that you received a canakinumab injection when you were pregnant if you have since given birth. The immunological response to immunizations in your infant may be hampered by canakinumab. Consult your child’s doctor about immunizations for your child.
• You should be aware that canakinumab injection may lower your resistance to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and raise your chance of developing a serious infection. Inform your doctor if you frequently contract any kind of infection, currently possess one, or suspect one. This includes transient infections (like herpes or cold sores), chronic illnesses that persist over time, and mild infections (like open cuts or sores). Moreover, let your doctor know if you have previously had or have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus infections. Call your doctor right away if you suffer any of the following signs or symptoms during or soon after receiving canakinumab injectable treatment: Frequent, urgent, or painful urination; fever, sweats, or chills; sore throat; cough; warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body; or other indicators of infection.
• You should be aware that using canakinumab injection raises your risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB; a dangerous lung infection), particularly if you have the disease but are asymptomatic. If you have TB now or formerly had it, have lived in a nation where TB is widespread, or have been near someone with TB, let your doctor know. To determine whether you have a dormant TB infection, your doctor could administer a skin test. Call your doctor right away if you get any of the following TB symptoms, including coughing up blood or mucus, weakness or exhaustion, weight loss or loss of appetite, chills, fever, or night sweats.
• You should be aware that patients with Still’s disease (AOSD or SJIA) or other illnesses where the body attacks its own tissues may experience macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a dangerous or life-threatening disorder. If you notice any new or worsening AOSD or SJIA symptoms, a persistent cough or fever, skin that is red, heated, or swollen, or any other infection-related symptoms, call your doctor right once.
• Without first consulting your doctor, avoid getting any shots. If you or your child requires any immunizations, make sure to discuss this with your doctor. Before commencing canakinumab medication, it’s crucial that both adults and kids acquire all necessary immunizations.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Call your doctor as soon as possible if you fail to keep a canakinumab injection appointment.

There may be negative consequences from canakinumab. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Pain, bruising, bleeding, swelling, redness, warmth, or itching at the injection site
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
  Blocked nose
• Headache
• Gaining weight
• Dizziness
• Joint and muscle ache

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you see any of these signs or any of those detailed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section:

• Hives; rash; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; lightheadedness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat

Canakinumab may make some types of cancer more likely to grow. Discuss the dangers of using this drug with your doctor.

Further negative effects of canakinumab are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, c ontact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone if you have a serious side event.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to canakinumab, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.