Firazyr (Icatibant)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Firazyr Used For?
Firazyr is a prescription medication specifically designed to treat acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults, adolescents, and children aged 2 years and older.
Primary Uses
Firazyr treats the symptoms of acute HAE attacks, including swelling, pain, nausea, and diarrhea. During HAE attacks, levels of a substance called bradykinin increase in your bloodstream, leading to these uncomfortable symptoms.
How It Works
Firazyr contains icatibant, which blocks the activity of bradykinin. By blocking this substance, Firazyr helps reduce the symptoms of an HAE attack and provides relief from swelling and pain.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive and is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Firazyr
Firazyr is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) into the fatty tissue of your abdomen. It comes in a ready-to-use syringe with a separate needle that needs to be attached before use.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: The recommended dose is one injection (30 mg in 3 mL) given as soon as HAE symptoms develop. If symptoms persist or return, an additional injection may be given after 6 hours. A third injection may be needed after another 6 hours if symptoms continue. Do not exceed 3 injections in 24 hours or 8 injections per month. Children and adolescents (2-17 years): The dose ranges from 1 mL to 3 mL based on body weight, as determined by your doctor. The dose will be adjusted as your child grows.
Important: If your HAE attack involves your face, lips, throat, or voice box, or if you have difficulty breathing, always contact your doctor or hospital immediately.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Injection site reactions (burning, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, itching)
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Blocked nose
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Weight gain
- Asthma
- Cough
- Itching
- Redness of skin
- Hot flushes
- Muscle spasm
- Hives
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, skin rash)
- Abnormal liver function (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Worsening of HAE symptoms
- Drop in blood pressure (with overdose)
Important Warnings
Before using Firazyr, it’s important to understand who should not use this medication and what conditions require special attention.
Who Should Not Take Firazyr
Do not use Firazyr if you are allergic to icatibant or any other ingredients in the medication. Do not give to children under 2 years of age or weighing less than 12 kg. Do not use if the medication has expired, the packaging is damaged, or if the solution is cloudy, has particles, or is not colorless.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Consult your doctor before using Firazyr if you have angina (reduced blood flow to the heart) or have recently suffered a stroke. Tell your doctor if you are taking ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, enalapril, ramipril, quinapril, or lisinopril) used for blood pressure or other conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you are breastfeeding, you should not breastfeed for 12 hours after using Firazyr, as it is unknown whether the medication passes into breast milk.
Drug Interactions
Firazyr can interact with certain medications, so it’s important to tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, ramipril, quinapril, lisinopril)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about activities requiring alertness after using Firazyr or during an HAE attack.
Alcohol
Food and drink have no effect on the action of Firazyr.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel tired or dizzy as a result of your HAE attack or after using Firazyr.
Storage
Keep Firazyr in its original packaging until ready to use. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Do not freeze. Do not store in bathrooms or near sinks, and keep away from heat and dampness. Store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has used too much Firazyr, immediately contact your doctor, Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26; New Zealand: 0800 POISON or 0800 764766), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. When high doses have been given, patients have experienced a drop in blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your HAE attack has not shown signs of improvement within 2 hours of the Firazyr injection, you should contact your doctor or hospital immediately.
Adults may self-inject Firazyr if their doctor agrees it’s appropriate and they have been properly trained on subcutaneous injection technique. For children, injections are usually given by healthcare professionals or trained caregivers.
No, Firazyr is not addictive.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice that your HAE attack symptoms get worse after using Firazyr. If the attack involves your face, lips, throat, or voice box, or if you develop breathing difficulties, contact your doctor or hospital immediately.
Adults should have no more than 3 injections in a 24-hour period and no more than 8 injections in a month. For children, no more than one injection was given per HAE attack in clinical studies.
Tell your doctor if you are taking ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications like captopril, enalapril, ramipril, quinapril, or lisinopril) as Firazyr can interact with these medicines.
If you self-inject Firazyr during a laryngeal attack (throat obstruction) or if your symptoms involve breathing difficulties, you must seek immediate medical care at a medical institution.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.