Cisatracurium Besylate and Ilaris

• Generic Name: cisatracurium
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Nimbex

Production of skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery after general anesthesia has been induced.

Facilitation of endotracheal intubation; however, a neuromuscular blocking agent with a rapid onset of action (e.g., succinylcholine, rocuronium) generally preferred in emergency situations when rapid intubation is required. Cisatracurium is not recommended for rapid sequence intubation because of its intermediate onset of action.

Also has been used to facilitate mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Has been given as a continuous IV infusion for up to 6 days in this setting. Whenever neuromuscular blocking agents are used in the ICU, consider benefits versus risks of such therapy and assess patients frequently to determine need for continued paralysis. (See Intensive Care Setting under Cautions.)

Compared with other neuromuscular blocking agents, cisatracurium has an intermediate onset and duration of action; exhibits minimal, if any, cardiovascular effects; and causes less histamine release than atracurium. Because elimination is not dependent on renal or hepatic pathways, may be particularly useful in patients with hepatic or renal dysfunction.

• Generic Name: canakinumab
• Dosage Forms: injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
• Other Brand Names: Ilaris

Ilaris (canakinumab) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks certain proteins in the body that can affect inflammation and other immune responses. Ilaris is used to treat certain types of periodic fever syndromes, sometimes called auto-inflammatory syndromes.

Periodic fever syndromes are rare and often inherited conditions caused by mutations in certain genes; usually genes that are involved in producing a certain protein or enzyme in the body. People with a periodic fever syndrome have episodes of fever and inflammation without other causes such as infection or virus.

Ilaris is used to treat the following periodic fever syndromes in adults and children who are at least 4 years old:

• Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), including Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome and Muckle-Wells Syndrome
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS)
• Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome (HIDS), also called Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD)
• Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)

Ilaris is also used to treat Sudden Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) in children who are at least 2 years old.