Kineret (anakinra) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions:

  • Deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA) in adults and children. DIRA is a hereditary condition that causes inflammation throughout your body. This can lead to joint pain, swelling, skin rash, or problems with the liver or spleen.
  • Neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) in adults and children. (NOMID is a condition that starts in infants. It causes inflammation, which may lead to symptoms such as fever, joint pain, or skin rash.)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

Kineret comes as a solution in a prefilled syringe. You’ll administer it by subcutaneous injection. The medication belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin-1 receptor blockers.

Kineret is a biologic drug. It’s currently available only as a brand-name drug. There aren’t any biosimilar versions of the drug available yet.

For information about the dosage of Kineret, including its strength and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Kineret, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Kineret provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Kineret, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will recommend the best dosage of Kineret for you. Below is some common dosage information.

Kineret form

Kineret comes as a solution in a prefilled syringe. You’ll administer it by subcutaneous injection.

Kineret strength

Kineret comes in one strength: 100 milligrams (mg) in 0.67 milliliters (mL) of solution.

Typical dosages

If you’re using Kineret for neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) or deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA), your doctor will start your treatment with a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

If you’re using Kineret for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor will likely prescribe you the same dosage throughout your treatment.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosages for DIRA in adults

The dosage of Kineret to treat DIRA in adults is based on body weight. The recommended starting dosage is from 1 mg to 2 mg per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) per day. (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)

For example, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your starting dosage would be from 70 mg to 140 mg per day. Then, your doctor may slowly increase your dose until your DIRA symptoms ease.

The maximum recommended dosage of Kineret for this condition is 8 mg/kg per day. So, in the above example, the maximum dosage would be 560 mg per day.

Dosages for NOMID in adults

The dosage of Kineret to treat NOMID in adults is based on body weight. The recommended starting dosage is from 1 mg to 2 mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg) per day. (One kg is about 2.2 lb.)

For example, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your starting dosage would be from 70 mg to 140 mg per day. Then, your doctor may slowly increase your dose until your NOMID symptoms ease.

The maximum recommended dosage of Kineret for this condition is 8 mg/kg per day. So, in the above example, the maximum dosage would be 560 mg per day.

Usually, you’ll use Kineret once daily for this condition. However, in some cases, your doctor may recommend splitting your total dose into two doses per day.

Dosage for RA in adults

The recommended dosage of Kineret to treat RA is 100 mg per day. In most cases, this is the highest dose of Kineret that doctors will prescribe to treat RA.

Children’s dosages

Kineret is approved to treat DIRA and NOMID in children, including infants. This medication is not approved for use in children with RA. Below are the typical children’s dosages of Kineret for DIRA and NOMID.

Children’s dosages for DIRA

To treat DIRA in children and infants, the dosage of Kineret is based on body weight. The recommended starting dosage is from 1 mg to 2 mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg) per day. (One kg is about 2.2 lb.)

For instance, if your child weighs 30 kg (about 66 lb), their starting dosage would be from 30 mg to 60 mg per day. Then, your child’s doctor may slowly increase their dose until your child’s DIRA symptoms ease.

The maximum recommended dose of Kineret for this use is 8 mg/kg per day. So, in the above example, the maximum dosage would be 240 mg per day.

Children’s dosages for NOMID

To treat NOMID in children and infants, the dosage of Kineret is based on body weight. The recommended starting dosage is from 1 mg to 2 mg per kg (mg/kg) of body weight per day. (One kg is about 2.2 lb.)

For instance, if your child weighs 30 kg (about 66 lb), their starting dosage would be from 30 mg to 60 mg per day. Then, your child’s doctor may slowly increase their dose until your child’s NOMID symptoms ease.

The maximum recommended dose of Kineret for this use is 8 mg/kg per day. So, in the above example, the maximum dosage would be 240 mg per day.

Usually, Kineret is used once daily for this condition. However, in some cases, your child’s doctor may recommend splitting your child’s total dose into two doses per day.

Long-term treatment

Kineret is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Kineret is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

The Kineret dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Kineret to treat
  • your age
  • your body weight
  • how well the drug is working for you

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Kineret dosage.

Dosage adjustments

If you have serious kidney problems, your doctor may recommend you use Kineret every other day, instead of every day. This is because your kidneys remove the drug from your body. And, if your kidneys do not work as well as they should, you may be exposed to too much Kineret. This can increase your risk of side effects. (To learn about side effects with Kineret, see this article.)

If you have kidney problems, tell your doctor before starting Kineret treatment. They can help determine the best dosage of Kineret for you.

Kineret comes as a solution in a prefilled syringe. You’ll administer it by subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin). One syringe can be used for dosages from 20 mg to 100 mg. Each syringe is for one-time use only. So, if your dose is higher than 100 mg, you’ll need to use multiple Kineret syringes per dose.

Before your first dose of Kineret, your doctor or pharmacist can show you or your caregiver how the drug should be injected. They’ll also tell you how many syringes you’ll need for each dose. And they’ll advise whether you’ll need to split your total daily dose into two doses per day.

You can inject Kineret under the skin of:

  • your upper, outer arm
  • your abdomen (except 2 inches around your belly button)
  • the front, middle area of your thigh
  • the upper, outer area of your buttocks

Try to use a different area each time you inject Kineret. This can help decrease the risk of developing skin-related side effects.* You should not inject Kineret into skin that’s bruised, swollen or tender. Do not inject Kineret into skin where you can see a vein close by.

Your doctor will recommend you inject Kineret around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Kineret can work effectively.

For more information on how to inject Kineret, see the instructions available on the manufacturer’s website. You can also view videos about how to inject Kineret in adults or children.

* To learn about side effects with Kineret, see this article.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you miss your dose of Kineret, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about when to take your next dose. In some cases, they may recommend taking your dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, they may recommend skipping your missed dose and taking your next dose on your usual schedule.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not use more Kineret than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Kineret

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Kineret. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kineret for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Kineret without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Kineret that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Kineret. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.