Familial Mediterranean Fever Medication

Updated: Dec 14, 2021
  • Author: John O Meyerhoff, MD; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond, MD  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

The goals of therapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications. Colchicine is the drug of choice; patients who do not respond to colchicine or cannot tolerate it may benefit from the addition or substitution of biologic agents that inhibit interleukin-1. Of those, canakinumab, anakinra, and rilonacept have demonstrated efficacy, but only canakinumab is approved for use in the United States.

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Anti-inflammatory agents

Class Summary

Colchicine is the drug of choice for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Colchicine (Colcrys)

Decreases leukocyte motility and phagocytosis in inflammatory responses.

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Interleukin Inhibitors

Class Summary

In patients with FMF, uninhibited pyrin activity results in uncontrolled production of IL-1 which causes inflammation and may be accompanied by joint pain, swelling, muscle pain, and skin rash.

Canakinumab (Ilaris)

Human monoclonal anti-human IL-1beta antibody of the IgG1/kappa isotype. It binds to human IL­1beta and neutralizes its activity by blocking its interaction with IL-1 receptors. It is indicated for the treatment of FMF in adult and pediatric patients.

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