Icatibant (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Firazyr

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Immune Modulator

Uses for icatibant

Icatibant injection is used to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Icatibant works by blocking a chemical in the body that causes swelling, inflammation, and pain for patients with HAE. Icatibant is not a cure for HAE.

Icatibant is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using icatibant

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For icatibant, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to icatibant or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of icatibant injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of icatibant injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking icatibant, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using icatibant with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Captopril

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of icatibant

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you icatibant in a hospital or emergency clinic. Icatibant is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the abdomen or stomach.

Icatibant may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital or cl...