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

  • active (causing symptoms) rheumatoid arthritis in adults
  • deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in adults and children
  • neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease in adults and children

If Kineret works for you, your doctor will likely recommend that you take it long term.

Here are some fast facts about Kineret:

  • Active ingredient: anakinra
  • Drug class: interleukin-1 receptor blocker
  • Drug form: prefilled syringe for subcutaneous (under the skin) injection

As with other drugs, Kineret can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Kineret, including details about its uses, see this article.

Kineret can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Kineret in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Kineret for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include:

More common side effects in people taking Kineret for neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease include:

More common side effects in people taking Kineret for deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Kineret use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. And keep in mind, these side effects may vary depending on the condition Kineret is used to treat. For more information, you can refer to Kineret’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Kineret include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Kineret and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Kineret may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Kineret’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Kineret, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Worsened rheumatoid arthritis in people taking Kineret for this condition. Symptoms can include:
    • pain, stiffness, or swelling in multiple joints
    • stiffness, especially after not moving for a long time
  • Low white blood cell level (neutropenia). This typically doesn’t cause symptoms but can lower your immune system’s ability to fight infection.
  • Severe reaction at the injection site.*
  • Serious infection.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Kineret is prescribed to treat the following conditions in children:

  • neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease
  • deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

Side effects caused by Kineret are expected to be similar in adults and children. However, children may be at higher risk of infection, according to the drug’s clinical trials.

Your doctor can answer additional questions you may have about Kineret and side effects in children.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Kineret may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Kineret.

Reaction at the injection site

Reactions at the injection site are a common side effect of Kineret, according to the drug’s clinical trials. Injection site reactions may occur at any time that you’re using Kineret, although they’re less likely to occur after you’ve taken the drug for a long time.

Injection site reactions caused by Kineret are mild. No serious injection site reactions were reported by people taking the drug in clinical trials. And no one stopped using Kineret due to injection site reactions in these trials.

Examples of these reactions can include any of the following at the site where you inject Kineret:

  • bruising
  • itching
  • redness or discoloration
  • stinging
  • swelling

What you can do

Reactions at the injection site caused by Kineret should go away on their own, usually within 14 to 28 days. (Often, they’ll go away sooner). Your doctor may suggest ways to make your symptoms less bothersome.

Serious infection

Treatment with Kineret raises your risk for serious infection. However, it was rare for serious infection to occur in people using Kineret in clinical trials.

Infections reported in people using Kineret include bacterial and fungal infections. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection, but some general symptoms can include:

  • fever or chills
  • feeling short of breath
  • cough
  • fatigue or generally feeling unwell

Examples of serious infections reported in these trials include:

Certain people may be at higher risk of serious infection if they take Kineret. This includes people with asthma or people who already have a weakened immune system.

What you can do

Due to the risk of serious infection, doctors will wait to prescribe Kineret if you have an active infection.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving a vaccine while you’re receiving Kineret. You should avoid receiving a live vaccine while taking Kineret. Live vaccines contain an active (live) version of the germ they protect against. Because Kineret weakens your immune system, you could get sick from getting a live vaccine while you’re taking Kineret. Examples of live vaccines include the MMR vaccine and yellow fever vaccine.

Be sure to contact your doctor if you develop an open sore or symptoms of an infection while you’re taking Kineret. How doctors respond to serious infection in people taking Kineret depends on the condition the medication is prescribed to treat.

If you’re taking Kineret to treat rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will have you stop taking Kineret if you develop a serious infection. If you’re taking Kineret to treat deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist or neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID), your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits of continuing Kineret treatment if you develop a serious infection.

If you have questions about Kineret and infections, talk with your doctor.

Headache

It’s possible to have headache as a side effect of Kineret. This side effect is more common in people taking Kineret to treat rheumatoid arthritis or NOMID.

It’s important to note that headache is also a symptom of NOMID. There are also many other causes of headache. It may be hard to tell if headache is a side effect of Kineret, a symptom of NOMID, or due to another cause.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing bothersome headaches while you’re taking Kineret. They can evaluate possible causes of your symptoms and suggest the best treatment for your condition.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Kineret can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In clinical trials, this side effect was rare.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Kineret. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Kineret. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Active infection. Kineret works by weakening your immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight an infection. Your doctor may want to treat your infection first before you start treatment with Kineret.

Kidney problems. Your body relies on your kidneys to get rid of a dose of Kineret. If you have kidney problems, Kineret levels may build up in your body. This could increase your risk of side effects from the drug. Because of this risk, your doctor may increase the time between doses if you have a kidney problem, such as chronic kidney disease.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Kineret or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Kineret. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol with Kineret

There’s no known interaction between treatment with Kineret and consuming alcohol.

However, alcohol and Kineret can cause some of the same side effects. These include headache, nausea, and vomiting. So it’s possible that combining the two could raise your risk of side effects.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to consume while you’re taking Kineret.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Kineret

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Kineret while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you or your partner can become pregnant, your doctor may recommend taking birth control during your treatment with Kineret.

If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Kineret. They can inform you about the risks and benefits of taking Kineret for your condition.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about safe treatment options for your condition if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.

Side effects from Kineret are possible. In most cases, side effects caused by the drug are mild. They often go away on their own or can be treated with over-the-counter or at-home remedies.

Rarely, the drug can cause serious side effects, such as a serious infection like pneumonia. Because of this risk, you should contact your doctor if you develop symptoms of an infection while taking Kineret.

If you’d like to learn more about Kineret, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Kineret. For details about other aspects of Kineret, refer to this article.
  • Dosage. For information about the dosage of Kineret, view this article.
  • A look at rheumatoid arthritis. For details about your condition, see our rheumatoid arthritis hub.

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.