Ilaris (canakinumab) is a brand-name injectable drug prescribed for conditions including Still’s disease and periodic fever syndromes in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Ilaris can cause side effects, such as unexpected weight gain.

Ilaris can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The more common side effects in clinical trials of Ilaris varied depending on the condition being treated, including periodic fever syndromes. For more information, see the drug’s prescribing information. (For details about the conditions Ilaris is prescribed to treat, see this article.)

More common side effects reported by people receiving Ilaris for cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes include:

More common side effects reported by people receiving Ilaris for certain other periodic fever syndromes include:

More common side effects reported by people receiving Ilaris for Still’s disease include:

More common side effects reported by people receiving Ilaris for gout flare-ups include:

Mild side effects can occur with Ilaris use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ilaris include:

  • vertigo
  • headache
  • cold symptoms
  • reactions at the injection site, such as redness or discoloration, swelling, and warmth
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • muscle or bone pain
  • URI
  • unexpected weight gain (see “Side effect specifics” for details)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Ilaris and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Ilaris may cause serious side effects. Some are more common, while others are rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Ilaris prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ilaris, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Ilaris can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ilaris, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ilaris may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ilaris.

Serious infections

In clinical trials, infections were common in people using Ilaris. This is because Ilaris can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections.

Most infections reported in the trials were mild, including the common cold, other URIs, and stomach flu. However, serious infections were reported in some cases, including:

Symptoms of infections may include:

Your risk of infections may be higher if you have a history of recurrent infections (an infection that comes back, even after treatment). It may also be higher if you have a medical condition that raises your risk of infections, such as diabetes.

What you can do

If you’re currently receiving treatment for an infection, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ilaris until your infection clears.

In addition, your doctor will likely monitor you closely for an infection before, during, and after you start Ilaris. For example, your doctor will order a blood test or skin test to check for TB. They’ll likely treat any TB infection before prescribing Ilaris.

If you develop any of the infection symptoms listed above, talk with your doctor right away. In many cases, infections require treatment and receiving it promptly can help keep the infection from becoming serious.

Weight gain

Unexpected weight gain was commonly reported by people receiving Ilaris for cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes in clinical trials. It wasn’t reported by people who used Ilaris for other conditions.

What you can do

If you experience unexpected weight gain during Ilaris treatment, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and discuss ways to maintain a moderate weight while using Ilaris.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Ilaris.

Before taking Ilaris, discuss your health history with your doctor. Ilaris may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. In some cases, these factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Ilaris due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.