What is Canakinumab?
Canakinumab, a monoclonal antibody, blocks proteins that may cause inflammation or other immune reactions. Canakinumab can be used to treat some types of periodic flu syndromes. Periodic fever syndromes can be caused by mutations in genes. These genes are usually involved in the production of a protein or enzyme. Periodic syndrome is characterised by episodes of fever or inflammation that are not caused by other factors, such as infection.
Canakinumab can be used to treat periodic fever syndromes that affect adults and children older than 4 years.
- Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes, including Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (Muckle-Wells Syndrome) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome
- Tumour Necrosis Receptor-Associated Periodic Disease
- Hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome, also known as mevalonate kinase deficiency
- Familial Mediterranean Fever
Canakinumab can also be used to treat still disease, including adult-onset still disease and systemic idiopathic juvenile arthritis, among children aged at least two years.
Canakinumab can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Canakinumab
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention: hives, nausea, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast or pounding pulses, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face, lips, or tongue
Canakinumab can cause serious and even fatal infections. Signs of infection could include:
- Sweating, a fever lasting more than 3 days,
- Sores, heat, or pain anywhere in your body
- Stomach pain, diarrhoea, weight loss;
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort combined with coughing up blood or mucus can be alarming;
- Pain or burning after urinating;
- Redness on one side of the body
- Warmth, redness or swelling beneath your skin;
- Feeling very tired and having flu-like symptoms.
Canakinumab can cause the following side effects:
- Cold or flu symptoms include a sore throat, a runny nose, and a sore neck.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain;
- Painful urination
- Dizziness, spinning sensation;
- Headache;
- Weight gain or weight gain.
- Concerns include itching, redness, swelling or warmth at the injection site.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor if experiencing side effects; to report side effects call the FDA directly at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Ibuprofen, naproxen, methotrexate, methylprednisolone, colchicine, Advil, and Humira
Warnings
Canakinumab can cause serious and even fatal infections. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of infection, such as fever or chills, fatigue, sweating or shortness of breath, sores on the skin, painful or warm areas of your body, stomach pain, or diarrhoea.
Before you take this drug
Canakinumab should not be used if you have an allergy to it. Tell your doctor if any member of your family has the disease and if you've recently visited an area with a high rate of tuberculosis.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- An active or chronic infection
- Low white blood cell count
- A weak immune system
- HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
- A history of recurrent infection;
- If you recently received or have scheduled any vaccinations,
Be sure to have all your vaccines up-to-date before starting treatment with canakinumab. Canakinumab treatment may increase your risk of developing cancer. Speak to your doctor regarding your personal risk. Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or plans to become pregnant.
Exposure to canakinumab during pregnancy could impact your baby's vaccine schedule in the first year of life. Breastfeeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks.
How to take Canakinumab?
Your doctor may test you to ensure that you don't have tuberculosis or any other infection. Canakinumab can be injected into the skin. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider. Canakinumab can be given every 4–8 weeks, depending on the condition being treated. Please follow your doctor's directions.
Inform your doctor of any weight changes. Canakinumab dosages are determined by weight, especially in children and teens. Any changes to your weight may impact the dose. Canakinumab may weaken your immune response. You may need frequent blood tests.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you missed your appointment to receive your canakinumab, call your doctor and ask for instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdoses are unlikely because this medication is administered by a health professional in a medical environment.
What should be avoided?
Avoid being around people who are ill or infected. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately.
Canakinumab should not be used in conjunction with a live vaccine. The vaccine might not protect you as well and work less effectively during this period. Live vaccines are available for measles (mumps), rubella (MMR), yellow fever, typhoid (chickenpox), varicella, zoster, and influenza (nasal flu).
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, increasing side effects or making them less effective.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Anakinra;
- Adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, and infliximab
- Etanercept, rilonacept;
- Warfarin
- Other drugs that can weaken the immune system include cancer medicines, steroids, and medications to prevent transplant
This list is incomplete. Canakinumab may be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
