Ilaris Injection Therapy

See why thousands of patients choose our centers as their preferred destination for ongoing care, including Ilaris Injection treatments.

Ilaris is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:

  • Periodic Fever Syndromes:
    • Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), in adults and children
      4 years of age and older including:

      • Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) (1.1)
      • Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS) (1.1)
    • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS) in adult and pediatric patients
    • Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome (HIDS)/Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD) in adult and pediatric patients
    • Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in adult and pediatric patients.
  • Active Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged 2 years
    and older

What Is Ilaris? 

Ilaris, also known as canakinumab, is a biologic injection therapy that treats auto-inflammatory Periodic Fever Syndromes and is the only FDA-approved treatment for Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD). 

How Ilaris Works  

Some diseases cause overproduction of or sensitivity to a substance called a cytokine. Too much of a cytokine called interleukin-1-beta causes inflammation triggered by the immune system even when there is no infection to fight. 

Ilaris works by attaching to interleukin-1-beta to block its interaction and stop the immune system from triggering inflammation. 


What Is Ilaris Used For?  

Doctors order canakinumab to treat: 

  • Periodic Fever Syndromes:
    • Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), in adults and children
      4 years of age and older including:

      • Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) (1.1)
      • Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS) (1.1)
    • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS) in adult and pediatric patients
    • Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome (HIDS)/Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD) in adult and pediatric patients
    • Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in adult and pediatric patients.
  • Active Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged 2 years
    and older

 


Ilaris Injection Dosage and Administration  

Patients receive canakinumab via subcutaneous injection. 

Dosage and Frequency  

Before receiving their first injection of canakinumab, the ordering physician determines the patient’s dose. This dose depends on the patient’s weight as well as the condition they are being treated for. 

Though dosage varies, injections of Ilaris are typically administered once every 4 weeks. 


Ilaris Injection Side Effects  

As with all medications, side effects are possible.  

Common side effects include: 

  • Cold symptoms 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Flu 
  • Runny nose 
  • Headache 
  • Cough 
  • Body aches 
  • Nausea and vomiting  
  • Vertigo 
  • Weight gain 
  • Injection site reactions 
  • Upper respiratory tract infections 
  • Sore throat 
  • Pneumonia 
  • Urinary tract infection 

Additional side effects are: 

  • Allergic reactions 
  • Decreased ability of your body to fight infections (immunosuppression)

How To Prepare for an Ilaris Injection  

It is essential that patients inform their physician if they currently have, or have had, any of the conditions listed below: 

  • An active infection 
  • Present symptoms of an infection 
  • A history of infections that keep coming back 
  • A history of low white blood cells 
  • HIV 
  • Hepatitis B or C 

Patients should also inform their physician if they currently take: 

  • Medicines that affect the immune system 
  • Medicines called IL-1 blocking agents 
  • Medicines called Tumor Necrosis Factor inhibitors 
  • Medicines that affect enzyme metabolism 

Before treatment, patients should get a good night’s sleep. In addition, they need to drink an adequate amount of fluid and eat a meal before their Ilaris injection treatment at IVX Health. 

During treatment with Ilaris, patients need to avoid receiving live vaccines. 


How to Get a Referral for Ilaris Injections 

Every Ilaris referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment. 

  • Patient information should include: 
  • Name 
  • Current address 
  • Home and mobile phone number 
  • Insurance information 

Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for Ilaris injection therapy: 

  • Patient’s name and DOB 
  • Order date 
  • Diagnosis 
  • Physician’s name and NPI# 
  • Office address, phone, and fax numbers 
  • Provider’s signature 

Supporting clinical documentation from the physician should include: 

  • Office notes with presence of clinical signs and symptoms of the disease 
  • Result of Tuberculosis (TB) skin/ lab testing 

If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Ilaris injections treat, you may want to learn more about IV infusion treatments with canakinumab. To find an IVX Health infusion center near you, please click here. 

Patients chose IVX Health to receive their ongoing Ilaris treatments because:

  • ALL private suites
  • Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
  • Evening & weekend appointments
  • Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
  • Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks

Interested in moving your care to IVX Health?

Ilaris Financial Assistance Programs

Information about financial assistance programs coming soon.

Ilaris Related Blog Posts

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The infusion experience is a tough one. So to create this serene, peaceful environment means more than you will ever know.

Jennifer, Patient at IVX Health

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