Kineret® is a medicine that is used to reduce the pain and swelling associated with moderate
to severe active rheumatoid arthritis. Kineret® is a man-made protein that is similar to a naturally
occurring protein called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) found in the body. Kineret® is
for use by patients eighteen years of age or older and for patients who have not responded to treatment
with other agents called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDS. Kineret® can be used by itself
or in combination with DMARDS. Kineret® should not be used with medicines called Tumor Necrosis Factor
(TNF) blocking agents such as ENBREL® (etanercept), Humira™ (adalimumab), or Remicade® (infliximab).
In clinical trials there was a risk of serious infections (2% in Kineret® patients vs. less
than 1% in placebo patients). Kineret® should be discontinued if you develop an infection,
however most often you can continue taking Kineret® after your infection resolves.
You should not use Kineret® if you are taking TNF-blocking agents, such as etanercept,
adalimumab, and infliximab, unless your doctor has told you to do so. If you use Kineret®
with etanercept, adalimumab, or infliximab you may increase your risk of getting a serious infection.
Kineret® should not be used if you know you are hypersensitive to E coli-derived proteins,
Kineret®, or any ingredient of the product. The most common side effect in clinical trials was a
reaction at the site of injection, which was usually mild and characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.
