Haegarda

Haegarda is a prescription medication used to prevent hereditary angioedema attacks. Haegarda is a C1 esterase inhibitor that works to block a substance that causes inflammation and swelling in the body. 

Haegarda is an injection given just below the skin every 3-4 days. Do not attempt to self-administer unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider.

Common side effects of Haegarad include reactions at the site of injection, strep throat, and dizziness. 

Haegarda is an injectable prescription medicine used to prevent swelling and/or painful attacks in adults and adolescents with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE). HAE is caused by the poor functioning or lack of a protein called C1 that is present in your blood and helps control in ammation (swelling) and parts of the immune system. HAEGARDA contains C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), a protein that helps control C1.

Haegarda should not be used to treat an acute HAE attack. In case of an acute HAE attack, initiate individualized treatment as discussed with your prescribing health care professional. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose for Haegarda is 60 IU/kg administered every 3-4 days. Do not attempt to self-administer unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider.

Serious side effects have been reported with Haegarda including:

Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider or seek emergency support services right away if you have any of the following symptoms after using Haegarda:

• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• chest tightness
• turning blue (look at lips and gums)
• fast heartbeat
• swelling of the face
• rash or hives

Increased risk of clot formation that can break off and block a blood vessel. Risk not fully established with the HAE dosing of Haegarda. Signs of a blood clot include:

• pain and/or swelling of an arm or leg with warmth over the affected area
• discoloration of an arm or leg
• unexplained shortness of breath
• chest pain or discomfort that worsens on deep breathing
• unexplained rapid pulse
• numbness or weakness on one side of the body

Because Haegarda is made from human blood, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses, the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) agent and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.
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Do not take Haegarda if you are allergic to Haegarda or any of its ingredients.

Serious side effects have been reported with Haegarda. See the "Haegarda Precautions" section. 

Common side effects of Haegarda include:

• reaction at the site of injection 
• strep throat
• allergic reaction
• dizziness

This is not a complete list of Haegarda side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No Haegarda drug interactions have been studied by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women regarding Haegarda toxicity. Haegarda should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Haegarda crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Haegarda.