Drug interactions
Anakinra + Canakinumab
Severity: Major
Anakinra and Canakinumab: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs block interleukin-1 signaling, so combining them is duplicative and increases the risk of serious infections without a demonstrated benefit. Combination use of IL-1 inhibitors is not recommended.
What this interaction means in plain words
Anakinra and Canakinumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Anakinra belongs to Musculoskeletal; Canakinumab belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive IL-1 pathway inhibition causing greater immunosuppression.
What to do
Avoid using the two IL-1 inhibitors together and choose a single agent; if overlap occurs, monitor for infection.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Anakinra and Canakinumab, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Anakinra
- Anakinra + Bcg vaccine live Contraindicated
- Anakinra + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Anakinra + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Anakinra + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Anakinra + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Abatacept + Anakinra Major
Other interactions of Canakinumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Anakinra with Canakinumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Anakinra and Canakinumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs block interleukin-1 signaling, so combining them is duplicative and increases the risk of serious infections without a demonstrated benefit. Combination use of IL-1 inhibitors is not recommended.
How serious is the interaction between Anakinra and Canakinumab?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using the two IL-1 inhibitors together and choose a single agent; if overlap occurs, monitor for infection.
What other medicines interact with Anakinra?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Anakinra with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Anakinra page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
