Haegarda: Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Haegarda (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) is a prescription drug used to help prevent hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. Haegarda can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include injection site reaction, dizziness, and skin rash.
Specifically, Haegarda is used to help prevent rapid and painful swelling in people ages 6 years and older with HAE.
Haegarda is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from living cells. It contains the active ingredient C1 esterase inhibitor. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a powder in vials. The powder is mixed with sterile water and this liquid solution is then injected under your skin.
Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects Haegarda can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
What are the more common side effects of Haegarda?
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Haegarda treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
What are the mild side effects of Haegarda?
Mild side effects have been reported with Haegarda. These include:
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Haegarda treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Haegarda may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
What are the serious side effects of Haegarda?
Serious side effects have been reported with Haegarda, including severe allergic reaction. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
If you develop serious side effects during Haegarda treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Haegarda, visit MedWatch.
FAQ about Haegarda’s side effects
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Haegarda’s side effects.
How do side effects of Haegarda compare with those of Berinert or Ruconest?
Haegarda, Berinert, and Ruconest all contain C1 esterase inhibitor as an active ingredient. Side effects like an allergic reaction and a runny or stuffy nose are commonly reported with these medications.
In studies of Berinert, altered taste and a higher pain intensity associated with HAE swelling were also reported. These side effects were not reported in studies of Haegarda.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how side effects of these drugs compare.
Can Haegarda increase my risk of blood clots?
It’s possible. Studies have not confirmed a relationship between blood clot development and Haegarda use. But Haegarda does affect the body’s blood clotting pathways.
Blood clots have been reported at higher doses when the drug was used to help prevent or treat capillary leak syndrome. But Haegarda is not approved at these higher doses or for treating capillary leak syndrome.
Blot clot symptoms can include:
If you have questions about your risk of developing blood clots with Haegarda, talk with your doctor.
Can Haegarda increase my risk of infection?
Yes. Because Haegarda is made from human blood and proteins, it can increase the risk of infection in your blood. However, this risk is lowered by screening and testing donors and their blood for viruses. Processes used to remove certain viruses are also included when the drug is made.
If you have questions about your risk of infection from Haegarda, talk with your doctor.
Side effects explained
Learn more about some of the side effects Haegarda may cause.
Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions were a common side effect reported in studies of Haegarda. This side effect may cause symptoms around the injection site, such as pain, redness or skin discoloration, itchiness, and skin thickening.
Factors that can raise the risk of injection site reactions with this drug include:
- injecting Haegarda that’s colder than room temperature
- not rotating the injection site
What might help
Be sure to rotate the site where you inject Haegarda and allow the drug to reach room temperature for 30 minutes before you inject it.
If you still experience injection site reactions, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help lower your symptoms, such as by applying a cool compress to tender or discolored areas.
Nasopharyngitis
Nasopharyngitis was a common side effect reported in studies of Haegarda. This side effect may cause symptoms such as:
Factors that can increase the risk of nasopharyngitis with this drug include:
What might help
If you notice any of the above symptoms during Haegarda treatment, talk with your doctor. If it’s not an infection, they’ll likely recommend:
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Haegarda can cause an allergic reaction in some people. And this side effect was reported in studies. Symptoms can range from mild to serious and include:
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Haegarda, they’ll decide whether you should continue treatment.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life-threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Haegarda, they may have to switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effects
During your Haegarda treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Haegarda affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Below is important information you should consider before starting Haegarda.
Warnings
Haegarda can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Haegarda is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting this drug. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
Alcohol and Haegarda
There are no known interactions between alcohol and Haegarda. If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Haegarda treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Haegarda
There’s limited information about the safety of Haegarda use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Pregnancy
It’s not known whether Haegarda treatment is safe during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Haegarda.
Breastfeeding
It isn’t known whether Haegarda is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.
Like most drugs, Haegarda can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. But most are temporary and go away after a few days or weeks. If you have questions about side effects Haegarda can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:
Thank you for this insightful post! It’s crucial to be informed about both the benefits and potential side effects of any medication. Haegarda can be a life-changing treatment for those with hereditary angioedema, but knowing how to manage side effects is essential to ensure the best experience. This article provides valuable information that can help patients maintain a balance between treatment efficacy and quality of life.
This is a well-detailed post! Understanding the side effects of medications like Haegarda is crucial for better management. It’s great that you’ve included tips on how to manage these side effects too. This kind of information can definitely help patients feel more prepared and in control of their treatment. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing such an informative post! It’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects and how to handle them when using Haegarda. Your detailed insights will definitely help many who are navigating their treatment options. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for this informative post on Haegarda. It’s really helpful to know what side effects to look out for and how to manage them. Awareness is key to ensuring effective treatment and patient safety!