WHY is this medicine prescribed?
C1-esterase inhibitor human injection (Cinryze, Haegarda) is used to prevent swelling and painful attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE; an inherited condition that causes episodes of swelling in the hands, feet, face, airway, or intestines) in adults and children 6 years of age or older. C1-esterase inhibitor human injection (Berinert) is used to treat acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in adults and children who have symptoms affecting the stomach, intestines, face, throat, and airway. C1-esterase inhibitor human is in a class of medications called complement inhibitors. It works by replacing C1-esterase inhibitor that is normally produced by the body and that helps control inflammation and swelling.
HOW should this medicine be used?
C1-esterase inhibitor human (Haegarda) comes as a powder in a vial to be mixed with a liquid to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). C1-esterase inhibitor human (Berinert, Cinryze) comes as a powder in a vial to be mixed with a liquid to inject intravenously (into a vein). For the prevention of swelling and painful attacks of hereditary angioedema, C1-esterase inhibitor human injection is usually injected intravenously (Cinryze) over a period of 5 or 10 minutes or subcutaneously (Haegarda) every 3 to 4 days. For the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema, C1-esterase inhibitor human injection (Berinert) is usually injected intravenously when needed, according to your doctor's directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use C1-esterase inhibitor human injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You may receive your of C1-esterase inhibitor human injection in your doctor's office or your doctor may allow you or a caregiver to perform the injections at home. If you using C1-esterase inhibitor human injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you or a caregiver how to mix and inject a dose of the medication at home. Before you use C1-esterase inhibitor human injection for the first time, you and the person who will be giving the injections should read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with it. These instructions describe how to mix and inject a dose of C1-esterase inhibitor human. Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to mix or inject the medication or how to dispose of used needles and syringes after you inject the medication.
You may receive your of C1-esterase inhibitor human injection in your doctor's office or your doctor may allow you or a caregiver to perform the injections at home. If you using C1-esterase inhibitor human injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you or a caregiver how to mix and inject a dose of the medication at home. Before you use C1-esterase inhibitor human injection for the first time, you and the person who will be giving the injections should read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with it. These instructions describe how to mix and inject a dose of C1-esterase inhibitor human. Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to mix or inject the medication or how to dispose of used needles and syringes after you inject the medication.
You should mix the medication right before you plan to inject it. However, you may mix the medication in advance, store it at room temperature, and use within 8 hours (Berinert, Haegarda) or within 3 hours (Cinryze). Be sure that the medication is at room temperature before you inject it.
If you are using C1-esterase inhibitor human (Haegarda), inject the medication under the skin of your stomach area. Do not inject C1-esterase inhibitor human (Haegarda) into the navel or into any scarred, reddened, irritated, itchy, painful, or bruised areas of skin. Also, do not inject into areas with scars or stretch marks. Choose a different area (at least 2 inches away from your previous injection) for each injection.
If you are using C1-esterase inhibitor human (Berinert) to treat an acute attack of hereditary angioedema, you should call your doctor immediately or seek medical care at a healthcare facility. If you are using C1-esterase inhibitor human (Cinryze, Haegarda) to prevent swelling and painful attacks of hereditary angioedema, be sure to talk to your doctor about what you should do if you have an acute attack of hereditary angioedema.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Are there OTHER USES for this medication?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before using C1-esterase inhibitor human injection,
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
C1-esterase inhibitor human injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
C1-esterase inhibitor human may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at http://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in to protect from light, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store unmixed vials of medication in a refrigerator or at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store medication that has been mixed at room temperature and use within 8 hours (Berinert, Haegarda) or 3 hours (Cinryze). Do not allow the medication to freeze.
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location - one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: March 15, 2022.