If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or certain rare genetic (inherited) conditions, your doctor might suggest Kineret as a treatment option for you.

Kineret is a prescription medication used to treat:

  • active RA in certain adults (“active” means the condition is causing symptoms)
  • neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) in adults and children
  • deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA) in adults and children

The active ingredient in Kineret is anakinra. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It’s a type of drug called an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Kineret comes as a liquid solution in single-use prefilled syringes. It’s given as an injection under your skin. Your doctor will show you how to give yourself Kineret injections at home.

This article describes the dosages of Kineret, its strength, and how to take it. To learn more about the drug, see this in-depth article or the Kineret prescribing information.

Note: This chart highlights the basics of Kineret’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail. And please keep in mind that this article covers Kineret’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.

Condition Kineret treats Recommended starting dose Recommended maximum dose
rheumatoid arthritis 100 milligrams per day (100 mg/day) 100 mg/day
NOMID 1 to 2 mg/kilogram* body weight (kg) per day 8 mg/kg per day
DIRA 1 to 2 mg/kg per day 8 mg/kg per day

* One kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Below is information about Kineret’s dosage for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and certain rare genetic (inherited) conditions.

What is Kineret’s form?

Kineret comes as a liquid solution in single-use prefilled syringes.

What strength does Kineret come in?

Kineret is available in one strength: 100 milligram (mg) per 0.67 milliliters (mL) of solution.

What are the usual dosages of Kineret?

Depending on the condition Kineret is used to treat, your doctor may start you on a low dosage. If so, they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the Kineret dose your doctor prescribes. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for active rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

For treating active RA, the recommended Kineret dosage is 100 mg injected once per day. (“Active” means the condition is causing symptoms.)

Dosage for neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID)

For treating NOMID, the recommended starting Kineret dosage is 1 to 2 mg/kilogram of body weight (kg) per day. (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb]).

Over time, your doctor may increase your dosage to the maximum of 8 mg/kg per day.

Your dose may be given once daily, or it may be split into two doses. If your dose is split into two injections per day, you’ll need to use a new Kineret syringe for each dose.

Dosage for deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA)

For treating DIRA, the recommended starting dose is 1 to 2 mg/kg of body weight per day. (One kg is about 2.2 lb).

Over time, your doctor may increase your dosage up to the maximum dosage of 8 mg/kg per day.

Your dose may be given once daily, or it may be split into two doses. If your dose is split into two injections per day, you’ll need to use a new Kineret syringe for each dose.

What’s the dosage of Kineret for children?

Kineret is used to treat neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) and deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA) in children.

The dosage of Kineret used in children is the same as the dosage used in adults. To learn more, see the “What are the usual dosages of Kineret?” section directly above.

Is Kineret used long term?

Yes, Kineret is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Kineret is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may prescribe a lower Kineret dose if you have severe kidney problems, such as end-stage kidney disease. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

Kineret comes as a liquid solution in single-use prefilled syringes. It’s given as an injection under your skin, and your doctor will show you how to give yourself Kineret injections at home.

If your child is prescribed Kineret, the drug manufacturer provides a video explaining how to give your child the injections.

For information on Kineret expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Kineret’s dosage.

How long does it take Kineret to work?

Kineret begins working as soon as you inject a dose. But it can take 4 weeks or longer before you notice a change in your symptoms. In studies of Kineret, some people’s symptoms weren’t eased for several months after starting treatment.

If you have questions about when you can expect to see results from Kineret, talk with your doctor. They can also tell you more about how they’ll check whether Kineret is working for you.

Is Kineret used for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA)? If so, what’s the dosage?

No, Kineret isn’t approved to treat SJIA. But the drug may be used off-label to treat SJIA. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed to treat a condition that it isn’t FDA-approved to treat.)

Some studies have shown that Kineret may be safe to use for treating SJIA. Kineret is approved to treat SJIA in the European Union. But it’s not approved for this use in the United States.

If you’re interested in learning more about off-label uses of Kineret, including SJIA, talk with your doctor.

If you miss a Kineret dose, call your doctor. They can advise you on when to give your next injection.

If you need help remembering to inject your dose of Kineret on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The dosage of Kineret you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Kineret to treat
  • your body weight in kilograms
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Kineret’s dosage?”)

Do not use more Kineret than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to severe side effects.

What to do in case you use too much Kineret

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Kineret. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kineret, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Kineret without your doctor’s recommendation. Use Kineret exactly as prescribed. If you have questions or concerns about your dosage, talk with your doctor.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Does my Kineret dosage need to change if I’m also using other medications for my condition?
  • If I have side effects after taking Kineret, is there a lower dosage I can try?
  • What’s the highest recommended dose of Kineret for treating my condition?

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you can sign up for Healinggeeks’s online newsletter to get helpful tips for managing your condition. You can also find support and advice from our Bezzy RA community.

Q:

Should older adults use a lower dose of Kineret?

Anonymous

A:

Possibly. Kineret’s dosing doesn’t depend on age. But doctors may prescribe a lower Kineret dose for people with severe kidney problems, such as end-stage kidney disease (ESRD).

Adults ages 65 years and older are more likely to have kidney problems, including severe ones such as ESRD. This is because the kidneys slowly stop working as well as you age.

Your kidneys are responsible for clearing Kineret from your body after you inject a dose. People with severe kidney problems may not clear Kineret from their system as well. This can raise the risk of side effects. Using a lower dose may help reduce the risk of these side effects.

Not every older adult has kidney problems or will need a lower dose of Kineret. Before you begin treatment with Kineret, be sure to talk with your doctor about your medical history. This should include other conditions you may have, such as kidney problems. Your doctor will use this information to determine the Kineret dosage that’s safe for you.

The Healinggeeks Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healinggeeks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.