Arcalyst vs. Kineret for Autoinflammatory Syndromes: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Arcalyst

(rilonacept)

Kineret

(anakinra)

Summary for Arcalyst

Prescription only

Arcalyst (rilonacept) is a prescription medication that's used to treat adults and children with certain rare inflammatory conditions, including cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA), and recurrent pericarditis (RP). It's given as an injection under the skin once a week. The medication is approved for use in adults and children 12 years and older. Common side effects include injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections.

Indications for Arcalyst

Treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-wells Syndrome (MWS)
Maintenance of deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA)
Treatment and prevention of recurrent pericarditis (RP)

Pros and Cons for Arcalyst

Pros

Only injected once a week
Can be used to treat adults and children
The first and only FDA-approved medication for RP

Cons

Commonly causes injection-site reactions
Carries a risk of serious infections
Must prepare the medication before using

Common Side Effects for Arcalyst

Pain, itching, and swelling around the injection site (48%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (26%)

Note: Side effects listed above are for people with CAPS. Similar side effects were reported in people with DIRA and RP.

Warnings for Arcalyst

Serious infections
Possible risk of cancer
Higher cholesterol and triglycerides levels
Interaction with vaccines

Summary for Kineret

Prescription only

Kineret (anakinra) is an injectable medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when certain other medications haven't worked well. Kineret (anakinra) is unique in that it's the only FDA-approved RA medication that blocks a specific protein called interleukin-1 (IL-1) that's responsible for swelling and pain. Kineret (anakinra) can also be used to treat certain other auto-inflammatory conditions. It's injected under the skin, typically once daily.

In November of 2022, Kineret (anakinra) received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA to improve survival and shorten hospital stay for certain people hospitalized with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).

Indications for Kineret

Pros and Cons for Kineret

Pros

Available as a prefilled syringe for easier administration
Injection can be given at home after proper training (but not for COVID-19)
Typically given once daily

Cons

Needs to be injected, not good for people who don't like needles
Can weaken the immune system and raise the risk for infections
Can take a month or more to see noticeable improvements in symptoms for RA

Common Side Effects for Kineret

RA:

Injection-site reactions (71%)
Sore throat, runny nose, and other symptoms of an infection (up to 39%)
Headache (12%)
Nausea (8%)
Diarrhea (7%)

NOMID:

Injection-site reactions (16%)
Headache (14%)
Vomiting (14%)
Joint stiffness (12%)
Fever (12%)
Runny nose and sore throat (12%)

Please note: The safety profile of Kineret (anakinra) in people treated for DIRA is similar to that of for NOMID.

Warnings for Kineret

Risk of serious infections
Severe allergic reactions
Vaccines

Prices with our coupons for Arcalyst vs. Kineret

Arcalyst4 vials / 220mg

$26,876.74-

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Kineret4 cartons / 7 syringes of 100mg/0.67ml

$6,749.85-

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Arcalyst vs. Kineret

Arcalyst

Kineret

Summary for Arcalyst

Indications for Arcalyst

Pros and Cons for Arcalyst

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Arcalyst

Warnings for Arcalyst

Summary for Kineret

Indications for Kineret

Pros and Cons for Kineret

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Kineret

Warnings for Kineret

Prices with our coupons for Arcalyst vs. Kineret

Browse medications by letter

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Arcalyst

Kineret

Summary for Arcalyst

Indications for Arcalyst

Pros and Cons for Arcalyst

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Arcalyst

Warnings for Arcalyst

Summary for Kineret

Indications for Kineret

Pros and Cons for Kineret

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Kineret

Warnings for Kineret