FIRAZYR frequently asked questions
FIRAZYR is used to treat acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults 18 years of age and older. It's an injection you can give yourself just under the skin as soon as you recognize symptoms, after you have been trained by a healthcare professional.
FIRAZYR works by blocking bradykinin from binding to B2 receptors, which reduces the activity of bradykinin and thereby treats the symptoms of acute attacks of HAE.
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. FIRAZYR has not been evaluated in pregnant or nursing women. You and your healthcare provider will decide if FIRAZYR is right for you. Learn more »
No studies have been conducted examining the interaction of FIRAZYR with other medications. Because FIRAZYR blocks bradykinin, however, it may affect how angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors work. You should let your doctor know about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and if you are taking an ACE inhibitor. Learn more »
The injection site should be a skin fold on your stomach (abdomen) approximately 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) below your belly button on either side. This area should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) away from any scars. Do not choose an area that is bruised, swollen or painful. Learn more »
Guidelines recommend that you administer your acute treatment as early as possible in an attack and for all attacks, regardless of location, as soon as they are clearly recognized. Laryngeal attacks can become life threatening. If you have an attack in your throat (laryngeal attack), inject FIRAZYR and then go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. Learn more »
Most people with HAE don’t have enough of a protein called C1 esterase inhibitor, or this protein does not work as it should, which contributes to a cascade of events in the body. This cascade causes another protein called plasma kallikrein to trigger the release of a third protein called bradykinin. Having too much bradykinin causes the blood vessels to release fluid, resulting in localized swelling and pain of an HAE attack.
FIRAZYR works by blocking bradykinin from binding to B2 receptors, which reduces the activity of bradykinin and thereby treats the symptoms of acute attacks of HAE.
Learn more »
FIRAZYR should be self-administered as soon as you recognize the symptoms of an HAE attack. FIRAZYR should be administered as a slow injection, over at least 30 seconds, under the skin in the stomach (abdomen) area. Learn more »
You or your caregiver can administer FIRAZYR after receiving training from a healthcare professional. Takeda Patient Support offers injection training support. At your doctor's request, a specially trained nurse will take you step by step through the FIRAZYR injection process.
How to inject FIRAZYR
But always remember: If you have an attack in your throat (laryngeal attack), inject FIRAZYR as directed and then go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
FIRAZYR should be taken when you recognize the symptoms of an HAE attack. If your symptoms are not resolved or if symptoms occur again after your first dose of FIRAZYR, additional doses can be administered at least 6 hours apart (no more than 3 doses in any 24-hour period). Learn more »
Across controlled trials (FAST-1, -2 & -3), an analysis showed that the median time to 50% symptom reduction with FIRAZYR was consistent for up to 5 separate non-throat attacks. Learn more »
Injection-site reactions typically involve redness, bruising, swelling, warmth, burning, itching, irritation, hives, numbness, pressure or pain at the injection site. In clinical trials, 97% of patients experienced injection-site reactions.
For more information, please see the Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information. Learn more »
In clinical trials, the chance of getting an injection-site reaction was about the same whether patients gave the injection themselves or had it done by a healthcare professional. Learn more »
The most common side effects of FIRAZYR include:
- redness, bruising, swelling, warmth, burning, itching, irritation, hives, numbness, pressure or pain at the injection site
- fever
- too much of an enzyme called transaminase in your blood
- dizziness
- nausea
- headache
- rash
These are not all of the possible side effects of FIRAZYR. For more information, see the full Prescribing Information for FIRAZYR or talk to your healthcare provider.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Learn more »
In clinical trials, no hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reactions were reported.
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