Drug Interactions between budesonide and rilonacept

You should avoid the regular consumption of large amounts of grapefruits and grapefruit juice while taking budesonide. Grapefruit can raise the levels of budesonide in your body and lead to increased side effects. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with rilonacept. Rilonacept may interfere with normal immune response to new antigens; therefore, vaccinations may not be effective in patients receiving rilonacept. No data are available on the effectiveness of vaccination with inactivated (killed) antigens in patients receiving rilonacept. Because IL-1 blockade may interfere with immune response to infections, it is recommended that prior to initiation of therapy with rilonacept adult and pediatric patients receive all recommended vaccinations, as appropriate, including pneumococcal vaccine and inactivated influenza vaccine.

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure, the latter of which may lead to glaucoma and/or damage to the optic nerves. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously nonetheless in patients with a history of cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure. Although adverse effects of corticosteroids may be minimized by local rather than systemic administration, the risks are not entirely abolished. Inhaled and nasally applied drug may be absorbed into the circulation, especially when large doses are used. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure, the latter of which may lead to glaucoma and/or damage to the optic nerves. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously nonetheless in patients with a history of cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure. Although adverse effects of corticosteroids may be minimized by local rather than systemic administration, the risks are not entirely abolished. Inhaled and nasally applied drug may be absorbed into the circulation, especially when large doses are used. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

The use of corticosteroids may rarely precipitate or aggravate conditions of hyperadrenocorticism. Although adverse effects of corticosteroids may be minimized by local rather than systemic administration, the risks are not entirely abolished. Inhaled and nasally applied drug may be absorbed into the circulation, especially when large doses are used. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used. The development of symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, acneiform lesions, cataracts and cushingoid features during inhaled or nasal corticosteroid therapy may indicate excessive use.

Patients treated with rilonacept experienced increases in their mean total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. The mean increases from baseline for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were 19 mg/dL, 2 mg/dL, 10 mg/dL, and 57 mg/dL respectively after 6 weeks of open-label therapy. Physicians should monitor the lipid profiles of their patients especially those with hyperlipidemias, and consider lipid-lowering therapies as needed based upon cardiovascular risk factors and current guidelines.

The immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids, particularly in higher dosages, may decrease host resistance to infectious agents, decrease the ability to localize infections, and mask the symptoms of infection. Secondary infections may be more likely to develop. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with an infection, particularly active or quiescent tuberculosis or in hepatitis B carriers. Monitor patients for any new or worsening infection and use with caution in these patients. A serious or even fatal course of chickenpox and measles can occur in susceptible patients. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockade may interfere with the immune response to infections. Treatment with other medication as rilonacept, that work through inhibition of IL-1 has been associated with an increased risk of serious infections, and serious infections have been reported in patients taking rilonacept compared with placebo. Rilonacept should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection. Treatment with rilonacept should not be initiated in patients with an active or chronic infection. Additionally, latent tuberculosis can be reactivated and should be treated before initiating therapy with rilonacept.

Some inhaled corticosteroid formulations contain lactose and may cause adverse reactions including cough, wheezing and bronchospasm in patients with severe milk protein allergy or intolerance. Caution is advised.

Corticosteroids are predominantly cleared by hepatic metabolism and impairment of the liver function may lead to their accumulation. Patients with hepatic disease should be closely monitored.

No formal studies have been conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics of rilonacept administered subcutaneously in patients with hepatic impairment. Caution is advised if used on these patients.

Pharmacologic dosages of corticosteroids may increase the risk of corneal perforation in patients with ocular herpes simplex. Therapy with inhaled and nasal corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in such patients.

Prolonged use of inhaled corticosteroids may be associated with a reduction in bone density. This effect appears to be dose-related and has been reported primarily with high dosages (800 mcg/day or more of beclomethasone or equivalent for 1 year or greater). Reduced levels of total body calcium have also been demonstrated in patients receiving lower dosages. Long-term therapy with inhaled and nasal corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with osteoporosis. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

No formal studies have been conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics of rilonacept administered subcutaneously in patients with renal impairment. Caution is advised if used on these patients.

The immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids, particularly in higher dosages, may decrease host resistance to infectious agents, decrease the ability to localize infections, and mask the symptoms of infection. Secondary infections may be more likely to develop. Therapy with corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with an infection, particularly active or quiescent tuberculosis or in hepatitis B carriers. Monitor patients for any new or worsening infection and use with caution in these patients. A serious or even fatal course of chickenpox and measles can occur in susceptible patients. It is important that the recommended dosages of the individual products not be exceeded and that the lowest effective dosage be used.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockade may interfere with the immune response to infections. Treatment with other medication as rilonacept, that work through inhibition of IL-1 has been associated with an increased risk of serious infections, and serious infections have been reported in patients taking rilonacept compared with placebo. Rilonacept should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection. Treatment with rilonacept should not be initiated in patients with an active or chronic infection. Additionally, latent tuberculosis can be reactivated and should be treated before initiating therapy with rilonacept.