The prescribed dosage for Ilaris (canakinumab) may depend on your individual treatment plan. Factors like your medical history and body weight may affect your dosage of Ilaris.

Ilaris (canakinumab) is a prescription drug used to treat certain autoinflammatory conditions. The drug comes as a liquid solution given as an injection under your skin by a healthcare professional. It’s usually given every 4 weeks. Ilaris is used in adults and certain children to treat:

  • certain forms of active Still’s disease
  • forms of periodic fever syndromes
  • gout flares in certain adults

The active ingredient in Ilaris is canakinumab. Ilaris is a biologic drug, which means that it’s made from living cells. It belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin-1 beta-blockers that reduce inflammation to help relieve the symptoms caused by your condition.

This article describes the dosages of Ilaris, as well as its strength and how it’s given. To learn more about Ilaris, including its side effects and uses, read this in-depth Ilaris article.

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Ilaris. But your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.

Ilaris form

Ilaris comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose vial. It’s given as an injection under your skin by a healthcare professional.

Ilaris strength

Ilaris comes in one strength of 150 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of solution.

Ilaris is approved to treat the following conditions:

  • Forms of active Still’s disease such as:
  • Forms of periodic fever syndromes such as:
    • familial Mediterranean fever
    • hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency
    • tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome
    • cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, including:
      • familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome
      • Muckle-Wells syndrome
  • Gout flares that have not responded to other medications or that occur in adults who cannot take other treatments

The information in the section later describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. The dosage for adults and children able to use Ilaris is based on body weight.

The recommended dosage of Ilaris is a certain number of milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight, as described later in the article. Note that 1 kg is equal to about 2.2 pounds (lb). Your dosage and dosing schedule depend on the condition Ilaris is being used to treat. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from receiving your medication.

Dosage for Still’s disease

Ilaris is used to treat active Still’s disease, including adult-onset Still’s disease and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The dosage is the same for both conditions and is based on body weight.

The typical dosage of Ilaris is 4 mg/kg of body weight every 4 weeks. The minimum body weight required for Ilaris treatment is 7.5 kg. The maximum dose given is 300 mg.

Dosage for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)

For adults and some children with a body weight greater than 40 kg, the recommended starting dosage of Ilaris for FMF is 150 mg every 4 weeks. Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to 300 mg every 4 weeks.

For those with a body weight of 40 kg or less, the recommended starting dosage is 2 mg/kg every 4 weeks. Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to 4 mg/kg every 4 weeks.

Dosage for hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency (HIDS/MKD)

For adults and some children with a body weight greater than 40 kg, the recommended starting dosage of Ilaris for HIDS/MKD is 150 mg every 4 weeks. Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to 300 mg every 4 weeks.

For those with a body weight of 40 kg or less, the recommended starting dosage is 2 mg/kg every 4 weeks. Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to 4 mg/kg every 4 weeks.

Dosage for tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)

For adults and some children with a body weight greater than 40 kg, the recommended starting dosage of Ilaris for TRAPS is 150 mg every 4 weeks. Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to 300 mg every 4 weeks.

For those with a body weight of 40 kg or less, the recommended starting dosage is 2 mg/kg every 4 weeks. Depending on how your body responds, your doctor may increase your dose to 4 mg/kg every 4 weeks.

Dosage for cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)

For adults and some children with a body weight greater than 40 kg, the recommended starting dosage of Ilaris for CAPS is 150 mg every 8 weeks.

For those with a body weight of at least 15 to 40 kg, the recommended starting dosage is 2 mg/kg every 8 weeks. For pediatric patients, doctors may increase the dose to 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks, depending on how their body responds to the initial dose of the medication.

Dosage for gout flares

In adults with a gout flare, the recommended dosage of Ilaris is 150 mg, given one time. If you need additional treatment, you should wait at least 12 weeks before receiving another dose of Ilaris.

The dosage of Ilaris is based on body weight. See the “Ilaris dosages by condition” section for more information on the recommended dosages for adults and children.

In certain cases, Ilaris is used to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older who weigh at least 7.5 kg (about 16 lb).

Ilaris is also used to treat the following periodic fever syndromes in some children:

  • familial Mediterranean fever
  • hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency
  • tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome
  • cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (in children ages 4 years and older)
    • familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome
    • Muckle-Wells syndrome

For more information about Ilaris’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

A healthcare professional will administer Ilaris as an injection under your skin once every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. You’ll likely receive your doses in your doctor’s office, a clinic, or possibly a hospital. Ilaris cannot be self-injected.

When your doctor prescribes Ilaris, they’ll let you know how often you need to receive a dose. And before your injection, a healthcare professional will explain the process, so you know what to expect.

Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about receiving Ilaris injections. For more information on Ilaris, see this article.

How long do you take Ilaris?

Yes, Ilaris is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about dosages of Ilaris.

Is Ilaris used to treat anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage?

No, Ilaris is not approved to treat anxiety. For more information on the approved uses for Ilaris, see this in-depth Ilaris article.

Talk with your doctor about your anxiety while using Ilaris. They can suggest strategies to relieve your symptoms or recommend treatment options that are right for you.

Is the dosage of Ilaris based on age for any conditions?

No, the dosage of Ilaris is not based on age for any condition. Doctors calculate your dosage of this drug according to your body weight.

But Ilaris is not recommended for children younger than 4 years of age when used to treat cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes. And the drug is not recommended for use in children younger than 2 years of age when used to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This is because there aren’t any studies of Ilaris in children under these ages.

The dosage of Ilaris your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition being treated
  • your body weight

If you miss your appointment to receive your dose of Ilaris, call your doctor’s office right away. They can help you make a new appointment. It’s important to follow your dosing schedule and receive your injections on time.

If you need help remembering your injection appointment, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.