Ilaris

Available by prescription only, Ilaris is a medicine used to treat certain genetic autoinflammatory conditions. It comes in the form of an injection that is given just under the skin by a healthcare provider once every eight weeks. This medicine works by blocking the action of a certain protein that causes inflammation in the body. Side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.

Ilaris Medication Information

What Is Ilaris?

Ilaris^® (canakinumab) is a prescription medication approved to treat rare genetic autoinflammatory conditions known as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), such as familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS). It belongs to a group of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies.

(Click Ilaris Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes This Medication?

Ilaris is manufactured by Novartis Pharma Stein AG for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

How Does Ilaris Work?

Ilaris is a manufactured antibody (a protein normally produced by the immune system). It works by blocking the actions of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a protein that causes inflammation in the body. People with CAPS have increased levels of IL-1β. By blocking its action, Ilaris reduces the inflammation and symptoms associated with CAPS.

Clinical Effects

In a clinical study, Ilaris was shown to reduce symptoms of CAPS. In the study, 97 percent of people had minimal symptoms or improved symptoms after eight weeks of treatment. No one in the study experienced a flare-up of symptoms over eight months of treatment.

Ilaris Article Continues on Next Page >