Canakinumab injection

What is this medicine?

CANAKINUMAB (can a KIN ue mab) is used to treat certain types of arthritis in children and adults, such as Still's disease. It is also used to treat rare periodic fever syndromes including cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome (HIDS)/mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). This medicine is not a cure.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection under the skin. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

A special MedGuide will be given to you before each treatment. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever; chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• dizziness

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• runny nose

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• biologic medicines such as adalimumab, anakinra, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab

• live virus vaccines

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• abatacept

• baricitinib

• medicines that lower your chance of fighting an infection

• rilonacept

• rituximab

• sarilumab

• tocilizumab

• tofactinib

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• cancer

• hepatitis

• HIV or AIDS

• immune system problems

• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• low blood counts, like white cells

• recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccine

• tuberculosis, a positive skin test for tuberculosis or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis

• an unusual or allergic reaction to canakinumab, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

You will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. If your doctor prescribed any medicine for TB, you should start taking the TB medicine before starting this medicine. Make sure to finish the full course of TB medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills, or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.