Table 3.

Therapeutic schemes and monitoring of anti-IL-1 agents in pericarditis

	Anakinra	Rilonacept	Canakinumab
Loading dose	Not recommended	320 mg SC on first day (or 4.4 mg/kg if <18 years of age)	Not recommended
Maintenance dose	1–2 mg/kg/day up to 100 mg/day SC (usual dose for adults)	160 mg weekly SC (or 2.2 mg/kg if <18 years of age)	4–5 mg/kg SC usually every 4 weeks; for patients >40 kg usually 150 mg every 4 weeks; if inadequate response after 7 days may repeat dose and increase to 300 mg every 4 weeks
Duration	3–6 months (usual), longer times in specific cases	At least 6–8 months	At least for 6–12 months
Tapering	Suggested for at least 3–6 monthsa	Probably not necessary	Probably not necessary
Monitoringb	Blood cell count, transaminases, renal function, blood lipids	Blood cell count, transaminases, renal function, blood lipids	Blood cell count, transaminases, renal function, blood lipids
Pregnancy	It can be used through conception	No data	Limited data; alternative drug to be preferred
Lactation	Compatible	No data	Limited data

^aDifferent possible tapering schemes: reducing the dose of a single daily dose every week, as alternative with full dose every other day for 1–3 months and then half dose every other day for 1–3 months.

^bBe aware of possible increased risk of infections (especially respiratory and skin infections).