Kineret
Company: Amgen
Approval Status: Approved November 2001
Treatment for: Rheumatoid arthritis
Areas: Musculoskeletal; Rheumatology
| General Information | Clinical Results | Side Effects | Mechanism of Action | Additional Information |
General Information
Kineret is an injectable therapy approved for the treatment of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in adults who have failed one or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The drug is administered once-daily through subcutaneous injection.
RA is a disabling condition that causes pain, swelling and severe limitations of movement. Joint inflammation can destroy cartilage, tendons and ligaments, wear away bone and subsequently cause joint deformity. While RA can affect people at any age, it occurs most commonly in individuals ages 25 - 50.
Clinical Results
The safety and efficacy of Kineret has been tested in almost 3,000 subjects. Four placebo-controlled trials evaluated Kineret in combination with other DMARDs or as a monotherapy. The drug was shown, both alone and in combination with other therapies, to improve the signs and symptoms of RA. Many clinical responses, including a decrease in inflammation and pain, were seen in the fourth treatment week and most were seen by week 12.
Side Effects
Adverse events associated with the use of Kineret may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Injection site reaction
- Infection
- Headache
- Nausea
Mechanism of Action
Kineret (anakinra) is a direct and selective blocker of interleukin-1 (IL-1) that works by inhibiting the binding of IL-1 to the IL-1 receptor. IL-1 is a protein that occurs in excess in those with RA. IL-1 production is increased in response to the inflammatory stimuli present from RA.
Additional Information
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The FDA drug information shown here is licensed from Thomson CenterWatch. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.
