Anakinra is a specific receptor antagonist of interleukin-1 that differs from 
naturally occurring interleukin-1 receptor antagonist by the presence of a 
methionine group. It is administered by daily subcutaneous injection. Anakinra 
improves the clinical signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, slows 
radiographic progression and improves patient physical function. The most common 
adverse event is an injection site reaction. Anakinra has been associated with 
an increased incidence of serious infections and has an increased standardized 
incidence ratio for lymphoma. It has not been found to be associated with the 
development of opportunistic infections, worsening of congestive heart failure 
or the development of demyelinating disease. It appears to be effective in 
treating adult Stills disease, systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and 
chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular syndrome (also known as 
neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease syndrome).