Firazyr Side Effects

Severe Side Effects of Firazyr

• Patients who are allergic to Firazyr may have symptoms that are similar to hereditary angioedema. These may include hives, troubled breathing or swelling in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. Get emergency medical attention right away.

• Other serious side effects include irregular heartbeats, chest pain and lightheadedness or flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal congestion or runny nose.

Common Side Effects of Firazyr

• Symptoms such as  light dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches are common. Tell your doctor if these conditions worsen or do not go away.

• Patients may also experience pain, redness or swelling at the injection site.

Warnings & Recalls for Firazyr

General Warnings About Firazyr

• Before starting Firazyr, tell your doctor about any heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.

• Do not use Firazyr if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Drowsiness and dizziness are common when using Firazyr. Do not operate motor vehicles or heavy machinery until you know how Firazyr affects you.

Firazyr Treatment and Use

Firazyr | Icatibant is a peptidomimetic drug that treats adults with symptoms of hereditary angioedema (also known as Quincke’s edema). Hereditary angioedema is an immune system disorder that causes intense swelling and pain in the body’s mucus and internal skin tissues. Some cases of angioedema become dire medical emergencies because they lead to airway obstruction or suffocation. Firazyr is marketed by Shire and was approved for use by the FDA in 2011.

How does Firazyr work?

Firazyr works by blocking proteins in the body called bradykinin. Patients with hereditary angioedema have excess amounts of bradykinin. This allows water and other bodily fluids to leak into areas where they should not and cause inflammation.

Dosage

Each carton of Firazyr comes with a pre-filled 30 milligram syringe and a needle. A medical professional will tell you how to use Firazyr after it has been prescribed to you. Patients are advised to carry Firazyr on their person and administer it when they first notice symptoms of angioedema. The dosage instructions for Firazyr are below. If your symptoms persist, you may inject an additional dose of Firazyr after six hours, but do not use Firazyr more than three times in a 24-hour period. If you have an angioedema attack in your throat, administer Firazyr and then go to the nearest emergency hospital.

1. Store your cartons of Firazyr in the refrigerator when they are not in use. Do not freeze it.
2. Before you use Firazyr, make sure that the colorless substance in the syringe is not cloudy nor contains large particles. If it does, do not use it.
3. Remove the seal from the needle cap and carefully attach the needle to the syringe.
4. Choose a fold of skin on your stomach that is approximately two to four inches below your navel (belly button). Ensure that the area you pick is at least two inches away from any scars and do not inject Firazyr into tender, red, swollen, bruised or stretch-marked skin.
5. Wipe the injection site with rubbing alcohol and allow it to dry completely before using Firazyr.
6. Remove the needle from its cap and hold the syringe between your fingers.
7. With your free hand, gently pinch the area you chose.
8. Hold the syringe at a 45 to 90-degree angle and insert the needle into your skin fold.
9. Push the plunger at the top of the syringe for at least 30 seconds.
10. Release the skin fold and carefully remove the needle from your skin.
11. Put the used syringe and needle in a metal or thick plastic container. Seal the container firmly before you throw it away.

Other Names for Firazyr

Brand Name

• Firazyr

Generic Name

• Icatibant

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Firazyr