<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-29</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001037649</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTERLEUKIN GENETICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ILGN</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237194</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REILLY PHILIP R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>135 BEAVER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALTHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02452</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-29</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>650</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>4.80</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>36850</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>67000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Refer to footnote</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Shares are held in irrevocable trusts for the benefit of Dr. Reilly's children.  Dr. Reilly disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.  </footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Philip R. Reilly</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-30</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

