Acute episodes of hereditary angioedema (HAE; an inherited disorder that produces episodes of swelling in the hands, feet, face, airway, or intestines) in adults and adolescents 13 years of age or older are treated with C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant). Complement inhibitors are a group of drugs that includes C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant). It functions by substituting the body’s natural C1-esterase inhibitor, which reduces edoema and inflammation.

The recombinant form of C1-esterase inhibitor is available as a powder in a vial that must be mixed with a liquid before being injected intravenously (into a vein) over the course of roughly 5 minutes. As directed by your doctor, C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) injection is often administered when necessary at the beginning of a HAE event. Your doctor could advise you to administer a second dose of C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) if your symptoms don’t improve after the first injection. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not go away after you inject a second dosage. More than two doses should not be taken in a 24-hour period. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Inject the C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) exactly as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than advised by your doctor.

You or a carer will be instructed by your doctor or nurse on how to prepare and administer a dose of C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) injection at home. You should read the manufacturer’s information for the patient that is included with C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) injection before using it for the first time, as should the person administering the injections. These guidelines explain how to combine and administer a dose of C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant). Make sure you comprehend these instructions. If you have any concerns regarding when to administer the medication, where on your body to administer the medication, how to administer the injection, what kind of syringe to use, or how to dispose of used needles and syringes after administering the medication, ask your healthcare provider. A spare syringe and needle should always be on hand.

The drug should be mixed just before you intend to inject it. Alternatively, you can prepare the drug ahead of time, put it in the fridge, and use it within eight hours. Before injecting the drug, make sure to remove it from the refrigerator and let it thaw to room temperature.

Before injecting C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) solution, always check it out. Verify that the liquid is clear and colourless and that the expiration date has not past. There shouldn’t be any observable particles in the liquid. Use only if the product is not expired or if the liquid is clear, coloured, or free of particles.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) injection,

• If you have any allergies to C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant), other C1-esterase inhibitor products, any other drugs, or any of the chemicals in C1-esterase inhibitor, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away (recombinant). Get a list of the components from your pharmacist. If you have an allergy to rabbits or any goods derived from them, let your doctor know as well.
  Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: estrogen-containing drugs, androgens like danazol, methyltestosterone (Android 25), or testosterone (Androderm, Jatenzo, Natesto, among others) (including birth control pills). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have an indwelling catheter, which is a flexible plastic tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine, or if you have been bedridden or confined to a wheelchair for a prolonged period of time. Moreover, let your doctor know whether you currently or previously experienced atherosclerosis (a condition in which fatty deposits cause blood arteries to constrict) or blood clots in your legs, lungs, eyes, brain, or anywhere else in the body.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using recombinant C1-esterase inhibitor injection.
• Inform your doctor that you are using C1-esterase inhibitor (recombinant) injection if you are undergoing surgery or will be placed on bed rest.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Injection of recombinant C1-esterase inhibitor may have unwanted effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Sweating, hoarseness, lightheadedness, or fainting; hives; rash; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; blue lips and skin; swelling of your face, tongue, or throat
• Warmth, discomfort, sensitivity, or rosiness in one leg
• Spitting blood
• Chest ache
• Breathing difficulty

Further negative effects could be brought on by recombinant C1-esterase inhibitor. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly wrapped, away from children, and in the original container it came in. Unmixed pharmaceutical vials should be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Use medication that has been blended within eight hours after storing it in the refrigerator. Keep the drug from freezing.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.