Ilaris (Canakinumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ilaris Used For?
Ilaris contains canakinumab, a specialized medicine that helps control inflammation in your body by blocking a substance called interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta).
Primary Uses
Ilaris treats several rare inflammatory conditions: Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) including Familial Cold Auto-inflammatory Syndrome, Muckle-Wells Syndrome, and Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS); Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome (HIDS)/Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD); Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) when colchicine isn’t suitable; and Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (sJIA) in children.
How It Works
Ilaris works by selectively binding to and blocking IL-1 beta, a chemical messenger that causes inflammation. In the conditions it treats, your body produces too much IL-1 beta, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, skin rash, and painful joints and muscles. By blocking this substance, Ilaris helps reduce these inflammatory symptoms.
Good to know: Ilaris is not addictive and can be used in adults and children aged 2 years or older with a body weight of 7.5 kg and above.
How to Take Ilaris
Ilaris is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your doctor or nurse may give you the injection, or you may be taught how to inject it yourself after proper training.
Dosage Instructions
Dosing varies by condition and body weight. For CAPS: 150 mg every 8 weeks for patients over 40 kg, 2 mg/kg for patients 15-40 kg, 4 mg/kg for patients 7.5-15 kg or children 2-4 years. For TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, and FMF: 150 mg for patients over 40 kg, 2 mg/kg for patients 40 kg or less, given every 4 weeks. For sJIA: 4 mg/kg (up to 300 mg maximum) every 4 weeks. Your doctor may adjust your dose if the initial treatment doesn’t work well enough.
Important: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor tells you, and don’t stop unless your doctor advises you to.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Symptoms of viral infection or bronchitis
- Redness, pain, or itching at injection site
- Sore throat
- Runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing
- Feeling of pressure or pain in cheeks or forehead
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Vaginal yeast infection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Spontaneous bleeding or bruising
- Fever, cough, difficulty or painful breathing
- Persistent cough, weight loss and low grade fever
- Constant flu-like symptoms
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing)
- Nausea, dizziness, palpitations
- Burning sensation when urinating or increased urgency to urinate
- Fever lasting longer than three days
- Any symptoms possibly related to infection
- Stomach pain
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before starting Ilaris treatment.
Who Should Not Take Ilaris
Do not use Ilaris if you are allergic to canakinumab or any of the ingredients, or if you’ve had allergic reactions to similar medicines. Don’t use if the medicine has expired or if the packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: infections or a history of recurring infections (including tuberculosis), neutropenia (low white blood cell counts), or macrophage activation syndrome (a type of white blood cell condition). During treatment, you may be at increased risk of developing certain side effects.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Ilaris is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly needed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Ilaris, as it’s unknown whether the medicine passes into breast milk and could affect your baby.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Ilaris and affect how it works.
- Live vaccines (must not be given while on Ilaris)
- TNF inhibitors such as etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab
Alcohol & Driving
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions while taking Ilaris.
Storage
Keep Ilaris in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze it. Keep the vial in the outer carton to protect it from light. If you prepare the solution yourself, use it within 1 hour of mixing, or store it in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours.
Overdose Information
The source material does not provide specific overdose information. If you suspect an overdose or have concerns about your dose, contact your doctor or emergency services immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
If symptoms haven’t improved 7 days after your first injection, your doctor may consider giving you a second dose. The timing can vary depending on your specific condition and how your body responds to treatment.
No, Ilaris is not addictive. It’s available only with a doctor’s prescription and works by blocking inflammation in your body rather than affecting brain chemistry.
Yes, after proper training from your healthcare provider, you may be able to inject Ilaris yourself. However, don’t attempt self-injection unless you’ve been properly trained and are confident in the technique.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection such as fever lasting longer than three days, flu-like symptoms, or any other symptoms that might be infection-related, as Ilaris may increase your risk of infections.
You must not receive live vaccines while being treated with Ilaris. Talk to your doctor about any vaccinations you may need, as they will need to plan around your treatment schedule.
Contact your doctor if you miss a scheduled injection. Don’t try to make up for missed doses on your own, as the timing of injections is important for maintaining the medicine’s effectiveness.
Yes, Ilaris can be used in children aged 2 years or older who weigh at least 7.5 kg. The dosing is adjusted based on the child’s body weight and the specific condition being treated.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.