Version July 2025
Hereditary angioedema attacks, treatment:
Note: To minimize morbidity and mortality, should be self-administered (or administered by a caregiver) at the onset of an attack whenever possible (Ref).
SUBQ: 30 mg once; may repeat every 6 hours if response is inadequate or symptoms recur; maximum dose: 90 mg per 24 hours.
No dosage adjustment is recommended (has not been studied); icatibant is cleared by nonrenal mechanisms and is not expected to accumulate in patients with renal impairment.
No dosage adjustment necessary.
Refer to adult dosing.
(For additional information see "Icatibant: Pediatric drug information")
Hereditary angioedema (HAE): Limited data available: Children ≥2 years and Adolescents: SubQ: 0.4 mg/kg once; maximum dose: 30 mg/dose. Dosing based on an open-label study of 32 patients (mean age: 12.3 ± 3.5 years) with HAE (Ref).
There are no pediatric-specific dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, icatibant is cleared by nonrenal mechanisms and is not expected to accumulate in patients with renal impairment.
There are no pediatric-specific dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, based on adult experience, no change in systemic exposure was observed in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
>10%: Local: Injection site reaction (97%)
1% to 10%:
Hepatic: Increased serum transaminase (4%)
Immunologic: Antibody development (4%; anti-icatibant, no association with efficacy observed)
Nervous system: Dizziness (3%)
Miscellaneous: Fever (4%)
Frequency not defined:
Dermatologic: Skin rash
Gastrointestinal: Nausea
Nervous system: Headache
Postmarketing: Dermatologic: Urticaria
There are no contraindications listed in the manufacturer’s labeling.
Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Hypersensitivity to icatibant acetate or any component of the formulation.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Airway obstruction: Airway obstruction may occur during acute laryngeal attacks of HAE. Patients with laryngeal attacks should be instructed to seek medical attention immediately in addition to treatment with icatibant.
• CNS effects: May cause CNS depression, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks that require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving).
Airway obstruction may occur during acute laryngeal attacks of HAE; due to smaller airway passages, this may occur more rapidly in pediatric patients. Patients with laryngeal attacks should seek medical attention immediately following icatibant administration.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution Prefilled Syringe, Subcutaneous, as acetate [preservative free]:
Firazyr: 30 mg/3 mL (3 mL)
Sajazir: 30 mg/3 mL (3 mL)
Generic: 30 mg/3 mL (3 mL)
Yes
Solution Prefilled Syringe (Firazyr Subcutaneous)
30 mg/3 mL (per mL): $4,459.00
Solution Prefilled Syringe (Icatibant Acetate Subcutaneous)
30 mg/3 mL (per mL): $520.00 - $4,236.05
Solution Prefilled Syringe (Sajazir Subcutaneous)
30 mg/3 mL (per mL): $4,459.00
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Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution Prefilled Syringe, Subcutaneous, as acetate:
Firazyr: 30 mg/3 mL (3 mL)
Generic: 30 mg/3 mL (3 mL)
SubQ: For SubQ injection only. Patients may self-administer upon recognition of an HAE attack. Inject into the abdomen over ≥30 seconds, using the 25 gauge needle provided. Inject 2 to 4 inches below belly button and away from any scars; do not inject into an area that is bruised, swollen, or painful.
SubQ: For SubQ administration only. For doses <30 mg, transfer the appropriate volume needed for dose from the prefilled syringe into a graduated syringe. Inject into the abdomen over ≥30 seconds. Inject 2 to 4 inches below belly button and at least 2 inches away from any scars; do not inject into an area that is bruised, swollen, or painful.
Hazardous agent (NIOSH 2024 [table 2]).
Use appropriate precautions for receiving, handling, storage, preparation, dispensing, transporting, administration, and disposal. Follow NIOSH and USP 800 recommendations and institution-specific policies/procedures for appropriate containment strategy (NIOSH 2023; NIOSH 2024; USP-NF 2020).
Note: Facilities may perform risk assessment of some hazardous drugs to determine if appropriate for alternative handling and containment strategies (USP-NF 2020). Refer to institution-specific handling policies/procedures.
Hereditary angioedema attacks, treatment: Treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema.
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Icatibant may decrease antihypertensive effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. Risk C: Monitor
Outcome data following maternal administration of icatibant for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks during pregnancy are limited (Boufleur 2014; Farkas 2016; Hakl 2018; Kaminsky 2017; Tran 2013; Zanichelli 2015).
When treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in pregnancy is needed, agents other than icatibant are recommended. Patients with HAE should be monitored closely during pregnancy and for at least 72 hours after delivery (Betschel 2019; WAO/EAACI [Maurer 2022]).
It is not known if icatibant is present in breast milk.
Systemic absorption in infants is not expected following exposure via breast milk. According to the manufacturer, the decision to breastfeed during therapy should consider the risk of infant exposure, the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, and the benefits of treatment to the mother.
Lactation may increase the frequency of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks; patients with HAE should be monitored closely. When treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in lactating patients is needed, agents other than icatibant are recommended (Betschel 2019; WAO/EEACI [Maurer 2022]).
Symptom relief; laryngeal symptoms or airway obstruction (immediate medical attention required in addition to icatibant therapy)
Icatibant is a selective competitive antagonist for the bradykinin B2 receptor. Patients with HAE have an absence or dysfunction of C1-esterase-inhibitor which leads to the production of bradykinin. The presence of bradykinin may cause symptoms of localized swelling, inflammation, and pain. Icatibant inhibits bradykinin from binding at the B2 receptor, thereby treating the symptoms associated with acute attack.
Onset: Median time to 50% decrease of symptoms: ~2 hours
Duration: Inhibits symptoms caused by bradykinin for ~6 hours
Distribution: Vdss:
Children ≥2 years: 0.39 ± 0.11 L/kg (Farkas 2017)
Adolescents: 0.44 ± 0.18 L/kg (Farkas 2017)
Adults: 29 ± 8.7 L
Metabolism: Metabolized by proteolytic enzymes to metabolites (inactive)
Bioavailability: ~97%
Half-life elimination:
Children ≥2 years: 0.8 ± 0.04 hours (Farkas 2017)
Adolescents: 1.34 ± 0.96 hours (Farkas 2017)
Adults: 1.4 ± 0.4 hours
Time to peak:
Children ≥2 years: 0.42 ± 0.13 hours (Farkas 2017)
Adolescents: 0.55 ± 0.19 hours (Farkas 2017)
Adults: ~0.75 hours
Excretion: Urine (<10% unchanged)
