The KINERET logo and generic name (anakinra)

KINERET Support Program

Peggy's symptoms began at a busy time in her life.

"I had Megan, my youngest child in 1988 and started my masters's degree in 1990. My symptoms started in 1993, the day before Megan's fifth birthday. I started to get really achy, almost flu-like. I got up in the morning with difficulty moving anything."—Peggy, RA patient

Woman baking with her grandkids

As a caretaker, it was difficult for her to be the one who needed care.

"I wasn't a complainer, but people could see that I was suffering. My mother came down a lot of the time because my kids were little. Other moms would take my sons to hockey and my daughter to dance classes. While I appreciated everyone's help, part of me was a little resentful. I wasn't able to be the mother I wanted to be and other people had to step in."—Peggy, RA patient

For years, doctors were unable to find a treatment that worked for Peggy.

"I had gone to multiple doctors who were unable to give me a diagnosis. I tried many different treatments to get my symptoms under control, but many of them didn’t work for me and I had a hard time tolerating them."—Peggy, RA patient

Woman enjoying being outside with her husband

Her rheumatologist was unwilling to give up.

"With multiple therapeutic failures, my rheumatologist continued her search for a treatment. She attended a rheumatology conference and with me and my RA diagnosis in mind, she came back and said 'I have something for you.'"—Peggy, RA patient

Peggy experienced a reduction in her symptoms after starting KINERET.

"The fatigue and the aching in my joints started to improve."—Peggy, RA patient

Female physician talking to a nurse

Today, Peggy continues to care for others.
But she also takes time for herself.

"I still work part time, but I try to be home by six o'clock because I know my body will require some rest."—Peggy, RA patient

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS

KINERET® (anakinra) is a prescription medicine called an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) used to:

  • RA: Reduce the signs and symptoms and slow the damage of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in people aged 18 years and older when 1 or more other drugs for RA have not worked
  • NOMID: Treat people with a form of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) called Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID)
  • DIRA: Treat people with Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA)

KINERET is not for children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take KINERET if you are allergic to:

  • Proteins made from bacteria called E. coli. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
  • Anakinra or any of the ingredients in KINERET. See the end of the patient leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in KINERET

Before starting KINERET, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • Have an infection, a history of infections that keep coming back, or other problems that can increase your risk of infections
  • Are scheduled to receive any vaccines. People using KINERET should not receive live vaccines
  • Have kidney problems
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KINERET will harm your unborn baby
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KINERET passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will use KINERET or breastfeed

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

KINERET and other medicines may affect each other and cause serious side effects. Especially, tell your healthcare provider if you take certain other medicines that affect your immune system called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers. Ask your healthcare provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Know the medications you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new prescription.

KINERET may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious infections. KINERET may lower your ability to fight infections. During treatment with KINERET, call your healthcare provider right away if you get an infection, have any sign of an infection including a fever or chills, or have any open sores on your body. You may get an infection if you receive live vaccines while you use KINERET. You should not receive live vaccines while you use KINERET

Serious allergic reactions. Stop using KINERET, call your healthcare provider, and get emergency help right away if you have any of these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of your face, lips, mouth, or tongue; trouble breathing; wheezing; severe itching; skin rash, redness, or swelling outside of the injection site area; dizziness or fainting; fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest (tachycardia); or sweating. People with DIRA may have an increased risk of allergic reactions, especially in the first several weeks

Decreased ability of your body to fight infections (immunosuppression). It is not known if treatment with medicines that cause immunosuppression, like KINERET, affect your risk of getting cancer

Low white blood cell count (neutropenia). KINERET may cause you to have a lower number of certain white cells (neutrophils). Neutrophils are important in fighting infections. You should have blood tests before starting treatment with KINERET, then monthly for 3 months. After the first 3 months you should have your blood tested every 3 months for up to 1 year

The most common side effects of KINERET include:

  • Injection site skin reactions. The symptoms of injection site skin reactions may include: redness, swelling, bruising, itching, and stinging. Most injection site reactions are mild, happen early during treatment, and last about 14 to 28 days. Injection site reactions have been observed less frequently in people with NOMID
  • RA gets worse with treatment, if you already have RA
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Feeling like you have the flu
  • Sore throat or runny nose
  • Sinus infection
  • Pain in your stomach area

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of KINERET. For more information ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You can also see the Full Prescribing Information for KINERET including Patient Information and Instructions for Use at https://www.kineretrx.com/pdf/Full-Prescribing-Information-English.pdf

To report suspected side effects, contact Sobi North America at 1-866-773-5274 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

These are not all of the possible side effects of KINERET. For more information ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You can also see the Full Prescribing Information for KINERET including Patient Information and Instructions for Use at https://www.kineretrx.com/pdf/Full-Prescribing-Information-English.pdf

To report suspected side effects, contact Sobi North America at 1-866-773-5274 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

This information is intended for US healthcare professionals. Please confirm you are a healthcare professional to continue.