Ecallantide (Subcutaneous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 3, 2022.
Anaphylaxis has been reported after administration of ecallantide. Because of this risk, ecallantide should only be administered by a healthcare professional who is aware of the similarity of symptoms between anaphylaxis and hereditary angioedema and who has the appropriate medical support to manage both conditions. Patients should be monitored closely .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Kalbitor
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Immune Modulator
Uses for ecallantide
Ecallantide injection is used to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Ecallantide works by blocking a chemical in the body that causes swelling, inflammation, and pain for patients with HAE. Ecallantide is not a cure for HAE.
Ecallantide is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using ecallantide
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ecallantide, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ecallantide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ecallantide injection in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ecallantide injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving ecallantide injection.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Proper use of ecallantide
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child ecallantide in a hospital or emergency clinic. Ecallan..
