Anakinra is a drug used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It effectively combats joint inflammation, and the patient’s quality of life increases significantly over a long-term period.
What is anakinra?
Anakinra is a drug used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Anakinra contains an antagonist for a specific receptor within a cell, which has as its effect the inhibition of inflammation in the areas affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Because a specific messenger is no longer able to reach the cell, inflammation will not occur in the long term and the arthritis will be treated. Very often, anakinra is used in combination with methotrexate. It can be used in patients of any age and gender.
Pharmacologic action
Anakinra does not act directly on specific organs. Instead, it binds to a specific receptor, that is, a specific molecule within an affected cell, where it makes interaction with a messenger substance of the IL-1 type impossible. This would normally be necessary for the development of inflammation. Anakinra prevents this process, so that no inflammation can develop – the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis do not occur. The effect of anakinra occurs in the long term, it is not an acutely effective preparation. Apart from side effects, anakinra should have no other effect on any organs or the body itself. Blood count changes may occur, however (which need not be negative). Contraindications, however, include (probably) pregnancy and lactation. In addition, the effect of anakinra may be impaired if the patient suffers from asthma or has kidney dysfunction. Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient in anakinra may also lead to an undesirable onset of allergies. Because anakinra is often co-administered with methotrexate as part of the treatment of arthritis, it is sometimes difficult to determine which drug is responsible for the problem when adverse effects on organs and/or the body occur.
Medical application and use
Generally, anakinra is used as an injection within a specified time period on a daily basis. This means that the drug comes in the form of a pre-filled syringe, which can be administered either by a doctor or trained personnel, or by the patient himself. If daily administration is adhered to and not forgotten, the effects should become noticeable after about two weeks, but some patients report a longer time frame. When used properly, anakinra is used exclusively to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is particularly suitable as a drug for patients who do not respond, or do not respond adequately, to common preparations such as methotrexate. In addition to treating arthritis, anakinra also has a suppressive effect on the immune system and also an anti-inflammatory effect, which should result in a strong pain-relieving effect. Affected areas can no longer become newly inflamed as a result, which means that anakinra can combat arthritis in the long term. There is no firm evidence on the effects of anakinra during pregnancy, but to be safe, effective contraceptives should be used.
Risks and side effects
Anakinra may cause various symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract. These include, in particular, nausea and associated vomiting, as well as persistent diarrhea or even constipation. At the same time, anakinra can cause various allergies to the ingredients of the drug, which can be noticed, among other things, by a reddening of the skin or also by shortness of breath as well as an increased pulse and a significantly increased sweat production. In these cases, immediate notification of the doctor and discontinuation of the drug are advisable. Common side effects also include upper respiratory tract infections, causing conditions such as sinusitis or pneumonia. Since these are serious conditions, it is essential to notify the doctor in these cases as well. Less dangerous and rarer side effects include temporary headache and itching near the injection site after an injection of anakinra.