VIDEO: ‘Spectacular’ results for anakinra in pericarditis
November 11, 2015|Internal Medicine
Author and Disclosure Information
AT THE ACR ANNUAL MEETING
SAN FRANCISCO – Anakinra might be a life saver for recurrent idiopathic pericarditis when corticosteroids, colchicine, and NSAIDS aren’t working.
Anakinra (Kineret) seemed to end the cycle of recurrent attacks and get patients off corticosteroids in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial from Italy. The drug might even prove to be a steroid-sparing, first-line choice for children.
Investigator Dr. Antonio Brucato of Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, Italy, called the results “spectacular.” He explained why in an interview at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, and also explained exactly how and when to use anakinra for pericarditis.