Rilonacept Disease Interactions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.