Arcalyst Side Effects

Generic name: rilonacept

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 19, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Arcalyst.

Applies to rilonacept: subcutaneous powder for solution Side Effects associated with rilonacept. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Arcalyst.

Applies to rilonacept: subcutaneous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Your body's ability to fight an infection may be reduced while you are being treated with rilonacept (the active ingredient contained in Arcalyst) It is very important that you call your doctor right away if you or your child have a fever, chills, cough, hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

While you are being treated with rilonacept, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Rilonacept may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. Tell your doctor about any vaccinations you have received in the past. Ask your doctor whether you should receive any vaccinations, including pneumonia and flu shots, before receiving rilonacept.

You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis test.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction. Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after you get the injection.

Do not take adalimumab (Humira®), anakinra (Kineret®), etanercept (Enbrel®), or infliximab (Remicade®) while you are being treated with this medicine, unless your doctor says it is okay

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Arcalyst

Along with its needed effects, rilonacept may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rilonacept:

More common side effects

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site
• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• frequent urge to urinate
• lower back or side pain
• stomach discomfort or pain

Incidence not known

• bloody or black, tarry stools
• constipation
• cough producing mucus
• lower back or side pain
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• painful or difficult urination
• severe stomach pain
• tenderness
• tightness of chest
• trouble breathing
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Other side effects of Arcalyst

Some side effects of rilonacept may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rilonacept: subcutaneous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reaction is injection-site reaction (ISR). The next most commonly reported adverse reaction is upper respiratory infection.^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (34%)^[Ref]

One subject receiving rilonacept for an unapproved indication developed an infection in his olecranon bursa with Mycobacterium intracellulare. The patient was on chronic glucocorticoid treatment. The infection occurred after an intraarticular glucocorticoid injection into the bursa with subsequent local exposure to a suspected source of mycobacteria. The patient recovered after the administration of the appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

A patient treated for another unapproved indication developed bronchitis/sinusitis, which resulted in hospitalization.

One patient died in an open-label study of CAPS from Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (26%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, cough^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoesthesia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, stomach disorder^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Neutropenia^[Ref]

The patient did not experience any infection associated with the neutropenia.

Physicians should monitor the lipid profiles of their patients (for example after 2 to 3 months) and consider lipid-lowering therapies as needed based upon cardiovascular risk factors and current guidelines.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Increased mean total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (in patients with CAPS)^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site reactions (e.g., erythema, swelling, pruritus, mass, bruising, inflammation, pain, edema, dermatitis, discomfort, urticaria, vesicles, warmth, hemorrhage) (48%)^[Ref]

In patients with Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), the most common and consistently reported adverse event associated with rilonacept was injection-site reaction (ISR). The ISRs included erythema, swelling, pruritus, mass, bruising, inflammation, pain, edema, dermatitis, discomfort, urticaria, vesicles, warmth, and hemorrhage. Most injection-site reactions lasted for one to two days. No ISRs were assessed as severe, and no patient discontinued study participation due to an ISR.^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Arcalyst side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer