The U.S. FDA-approved Human C1-esterase to prevent hereditary angioedema on June 22, 2017. Human C1-esterase is an immunomodulator with an active ingredient called Human C1-esterase inhibitor. It belongs to the medication group known as complement inhibitors. The C1-esterase inhibitor is a naturally occurring human protein in the blood used to control inflammation and swelling.

Human C1-Esterase prevents hereditary angioedema in adults, adolescents, and children (six years or above) by increasing the amount of C1-esterase inhibitors in the bloodstream.

The medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered as an intravenous injection into a vein. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Human C1-Esterase are headache, nausea, hypersensitivity, dizziness, vomiting, rashes or pain at the injection site, and fever. Serious side effects while taking Human C1-Esterase are sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing, swelling in eyelids, face, or lips, and rash or itching.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Human C1-esterase or its other ingredients. Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you have a history of venous and arterial thromboembolic (blood clotting) conditions or plan to get a vaccination against hepatitis A or B.  Notify your doctor if you have an indwelling venous catheter (a plastic tube facilitates urine drainage from the bladder), atherosclerosis, using oral contraception (androgen), morbid obesity and immobility (have been on bedrest or are unable to move around for a long time).

Inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, think you may be pregnant or breasting. Notify your doctor if you are on a sodium diet, as this medicine contains sodium. Consult your doctor for more information. This medicine is made from human blood, so there is a risk of viral transmission. The manufacturers take extensive measures to minimize this risk, including testing the plasma donors for various infectious agents and performing viral inactivation during manufacturing. However, it is crucial to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Keep out of sight and reach of pets and children. Store below 25°C. Do not freeze it. If you have missed any dosing appointments, inform your doctor and schedule immediately. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicine with Human C1-esterase. Take the injection as instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not exceed or skip doses without consulting them. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects.

1. Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [Revised on Dec 2022], [ Accessed on 26th May 2023], Cinryze, INN-C1 inhibitor (human) (medicines.org.uk)
2. Viro Pharma Biologics LLC, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Mar 2022], [ Accessed on 24th May 2023], https://www.fda.gov/media/75907/download

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.