Kineret

What Is Kineret?

Kineret^® (anakinra) is a prescription medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, it is approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in people who have not adequately responded to other rheumatoid arthritis medications. It is given as a daily injection just under the skin.

 

 

Who Makes Kineret?

Kineret is made by Amgen, Inc.

 

How Does Kineret Work?

People with rheumatoid arthritis often have high levels of a certain protein called interleukin-1 (IL-1) in their joints. IL-1 causes inflammation, cartilage damage, and bone erosion. Kineret is a synthetic form of a different naturally occurring protein in the body that inhibits the effects of IL-1. By binding to IL-1, Kineret can help reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, along with the physical damage to the joints.

 

Because Kineret targets a specific part of the immune system (IL-1), it is called a "biological response modifier" because it changes (modifies) the body's immune response. It is also known as a "biologic" medication, because it is a protein.

 

Effects of Kineret

Kineret has been evaluated for rheumatoid arthritis in several different studies. In these studies, Kineret was given to people who had unsuccessfully tried various other rheumatoid arthritis medications. In these studies, people who took Kineret had fewer tender or swollen joints and were better able to perform their usual daily activities (such as walking, eating, or dressing), compared to people who did not take the drug. It also slowed down the structural damage to the joints.