Key takeaways

  • Icatibant is a generic drug that is given as an injection under the skin to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults.
  • It starts working to improve your symptoms soon after you inject. Icatibant works by blocking bradykinin to help reduce swelling.
  • More common side effects of icatibant can include fever, dizziness, and rash.

Here is some key information about icatibant:

  • Drug class: bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist
  • Drug form: solution in a single-dose, prefilled syringe
  • Administration: injection under the skin
  • Brand-name version available? yes
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no

Key term

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.

Firazyr is the brand-name medication that icatibant is based on. A generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Icatibant is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults.

HAE is a rare genetic condition that causes episodes, or HAE attacks, of severe swelling in various parts of the body. Symptoms of an HAE attack may include:

  • swelling under the skin of your face, arms, hands, legs, feet, genitals, or buttocks, which may lead to pain or discomfort in these areas
  • swelling in the lining of your digestive system, which may lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting
  • swelling in your tongue or throat, which may lead to trouble swallowing, changes in how your voice sounds, or block your airway and cause difficulty breathing

What is icatibant’s mechanism of action?

Icatibant’s mechanism of action, or how the drug works, is by blocking bradykinin from attaching its receptors or attachment sites. Bradykinin can cause fluid to leak out of your blood vessels, and by blocking bradykinin icatibant can help reduce swelling and related symptoms of an HAE attack.

As with other medications, the price of icatibant depends on several factors, like your insurance plan, the pharmacy you use, and your location.

Specialty pharmacy

Icatibant may need to be purchased through a specialty pharmacy authorized to carry specialty drugs. This type of drug may be costly or require help from healthcare professionals to be taken safely and effectively. For more details about how to obtain icatibant, talk with your doctor.

Icatibant comes as a solution in a single-dose, prefilled syringe. It is available in one strength: 30 milligrams (mg) in 3 milliliters (mL) of solution.

The dosage of icatibant is 30 mg (one injection) given as soon as possible after symptoms of an HAE attack start. If needed, you can repeat this dose after 6 hours. Be sure to not inject more than three doses in a 24-hour period.

What to do in case of an overdose

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much icatibant. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach Poison Help or use itsonline resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

How is icatibant administered?

Icatibant is administered as a subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin). It can be given by a healthcare professional or self-administered. Your doctor will teach you or your caregiver how to inject icatibant at home.

To give the injection, you’ll first need to attach the supplied needle to the syringe. You’ll also need some other supplies that are not provided with the medication, including alcohol wipes and a sharps bin to dispose of the syringe after use.

Icatibant is given under the skin of your abdomen. You will want to choose an injection site about 2 to 4 inches below your belly button on either side of your abdomen. Be sure to avoid injecting into areas of skin that are scarred, bruised, swollen, or painful.

You’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to use an icatibant syringe in the information leaflet that comes with your medication. You can also see the drug’s instructions for use online.

If you take icatibant to treat a HAE attack affecting your throat, you should also get emergency medical help right away. Call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the closest hospital emergency room.

How quickly does icatibant work?

Icatibant starts working to improve your symptoms soon after you inject it. But, it may take several hours for your symptoms to go away completely.

The following list highlights some of the side effects of icatibant. To learn more about side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view the drug’s prescribing information.

  • reactions at the injection site, such as pain, swelling, bruising, warmth, burning, itching, numbness, or color changes
  • nausea
  • fever
  • skin rash
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • increased liver enzymes

For some people, icatibant can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but there have been reports since the drug became available on the market.

If you experience side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest ways to help manage these side effects. If you have serious side effects from icatibant, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs are available that can treat sudden attacks of HAE. Talk with your doctor about which option is best for you. Below is a table comparing icatibant and a few other drugs that treat this condition.

icatibant
Firazyr
READ MORE
Berinert
READ MORE
Ruconest
READ MORE
Kalbitor
READ MORE

generic

brand

brand

brand

brand

bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist

bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist

C1 esterase inhibitor

C1 esterase inhibitor

plasma kallikrein inhibitors

sudden attacks of HAE

sudden attacks of HAE

sudden attacks of HAE

sudden attacks of HAE

sudden attacks of HAE

subcutaneous injection

subcutaneous injection

IV infusion

IV infusion

subcutaneous injection

both

both

both

both

healthcare professional

  • injection site reactions
  • fever
  • dizziness
  • rash
  • increased liver enzymes
  • injection site reactions
  • fever
  • dizziness
  • rash
  • increased liver enzymes
  • unpleasant taste in your mouth
  • headache
  • cold symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose
  • headache
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • injection site reactions
  • cold symptoms, such as runny or stuffy nose

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

risk of anaphylaxis

Below is some information to consider before receiving icatibant.

Interactions

Icatibant can interact with some other medications. There are no reports of any interactions with specific herbs, supplements, or foods, but this doesn’t mean interactions are not possible.

Itcatibant may interact with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and cause ACE inhibitors to not work as well. Examples of ACE inhibitors include:

This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with icatibant. If you have questions about drug interactions with icatibant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy

It is unknown whether it is safe to receive icatibant during pregnancy.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor.

Breastfeeding

It is unknown whether it is safe to receive icatibant while breastfeeding.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor.

Precautions

Before starting icatibant treatment, discuss your health history with your doctor. Icatibant may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Icatibant is a generic medication used to treat sudden attacks of HAE. It is given as an injection under the skin by either a healthcare professional or yourself.

If you have questions about icatibant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.