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Firazyr: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Status:
Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
10 mg
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Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · About this document

Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Firazyr

What is FIRAZYR used for?

FIRAZYR is used to treat acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE). It is used in adults and children aged 2 years and older, with a deficiency of a protein called C1-esterase inhibitor.

How does FIRAZYR work?

In HAE, levels of a substance in your bloodstream called bradykinin are increased. This can cause swelling, pain, nausea, and diarrhea. FIRAZYR blocks the activity of bradykinin. This stops the symptoms of an HAE attack from getting worse.

What are the ingredients in FIRAZYR?

Medicinal ingredients: icatibant (as icatibant acetate)

Non-medicinal ingredients: acetic acid glacial, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and water for injection

FIRAZYR comes in the following dosage forms:

Solution for injection, 30 mg / 3 mL (10 mg / mL)

Do not use FIRAZYR if:

  • you are allergic to icatibant acetate or to any ingredient in this medicine.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take FIRAZYR. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • have heart problems such as unstable angina (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle).
  • have recently suffered a stroke.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Other warnings you should know about:

Only a doctor who has experience treating patients with HAE is recommended to treat you with FIRAZYR.

Caregivers/Self-administration:

  • Your first injection of FIRAZYR should be given under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional will tell you when it is safe to go home.
  • You or your caregiver may inject FIRAZYR only after receiving training on how to use it. A healthcare professional will teach you how to use it.
  • Self-injection for children is not recommended. FIRAZYR should only be given to children by a healthcare professional or caregiver.
  • Adolescents may only self-inject if their doctor and caregiver agree that it is appropriate for them to do so.

Laryngeal HAE attacks:

  • A laryngeal HAE attack, or an attack of the throat, can become life threatening. This is because increased swelling of the throat can create a blockage of the upper airway. This in turn makes breathing difficult.

  • If you have a laryngeal HAE attack:

    • inject FIRAZYR, and
    • go to the nearest hospital emergency room for medical help right away.
  • A blockage of the airway may occur faster in children and adolescents than in adults. This is because the airway passage is smaller in these patients.

Adolescents and Children:

  • FIRAZYR is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age or those who weigh less than 12 kg

  • There is limited experience with the use of FIRAZYR in the treatment of:

    • children under 6 years of age
    • laryngeal HAE attacks in adolescents and children

Effects on Reproductive Organs in Adolescents and Children aged 2 years and above:

  • The effects of long-term FIRAZYR use are not known.
  • Early studies have shown that when FIRAZYR is used often, it may cause damage to the reproductive system or may affect how it develops.
  • Your healthcare professional may do blood tests to check how your or your child’s reproductive organs are working.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

  • It is not known if FIRAZYR will harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, speak to your healthcare professional before using FIRAZYR. You and your healthcare professional will decide if FIRAZYR is right for you.
  • It is not known if FIRAZYR passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed, speak to your healthcare professional before using FIRAZYR about the best way to feed your baby.

Driving and Using Machinery

  • FIRAZYR may cause tiredness, dizziness or sleepiness. DO NOT drive or operate machinery after using FIRAZYR if you feel tired or dizzy.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with FIRAZYR:

  • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (used to lower blood pressure).

How to take FIRAZYR:

  • You may inject FIRAZYR only after receiving training on how to use it.
  • Always use FIRAZYR exactly as your healthcare professional has shown you.
  • Be sure to use each FIRAZYR prefilled syringe only once, even if there is still medicine in it.
  • FIRAZYR is given as a single injection under the skin on the stomach. This is called a subcutaneous injection.

  • In adults and adolescents who weigh more than 65 kg:

    • The FIRAZYR prefilled syringe will be used to give the injection.

  • In adolescents who weigh 65 kg or less and children aged 2 years and above:

    • Some FIRAZYR will need to be transferred from the prefilled syringe into an empty graduated syringe. This graduated syringe will then be used to inject FIRAZYR.

Read and follow the below STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR INJECTION. It will take you through the process to give a FIRAZYR injection.

The solution should be clear and colourless and free from visible particles. Do not use this medication if it looks cloudy or is leaking. Prefilled syringes are for single use only.

Usual dose:

All Patients:

  • Take FIRAZYR as soon as you have symptoms of an HAE attack. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
  • If you have a laryngeal HAE attack, inject FIRAZYR and then go to the nearest hospital emergency room for medical help right away.

Adults:

  • The recommended dose is 3 mL. Use the full contents of the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe.
  • If the symptoms continue, worsen, or come back, and it has been at least 6 hours from the first injection: give another injection.
  • Do not use more than 3 injections in 24 hours. Talk with your healthcare professional before using more than 8 doses per month.

Adolescents (weighing more than 65 kg):

  • The recommended dose is 3 mL. Use the full contents of the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe.
  • If the symptoms continue, worsen, or come back, seek immediate medical advice. Do not use more than 1 injection for a single HAE attack.

Adolescents (weighing 65 kg or less) and Children (aged 2 and above):

  • The recommended dose is between 1 mL to 2.5 mL. The dose is based on body weight.
  • You will need to use only some of the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe.
  • See the below STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR INJECTION for the dose to inject. If you are not sure, speak to your healthcare professional.
  • The dose may change from one injection to the next with changes in body weight.
  • If the symptoms continue, worsen, or come back seek immediate medical advice. Do not use more than 1 injection for a single HAE attack.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR INJECTION:

This section contains information on how to give an injection of FIRAZYR.

Read these instructions before using FIRAZYR and each time you get a repeat prescription. There may be new information.

These instructions are not meant to take the place of training by a healthcare professional. A healthcare professional will teach you and your caregiver how to give FIRAZYR. Ask your healthcare professional any questions you may have. Do NOT attempt to inject FIRAZYR until you are sure how to and your doctor has determined that it is appropriate for you to do so.

Takeda’s OnePath Patient Support Program has been set up to provide guidance and additional training on how to use FIRAZYR. It will give you information and answer any questions you may have. FIRAZYR and supplies needed to give it are provided through this Program. Information including training can be obtained through the Program by calling Takeda at 1-800-268-2772.

Step 1 – Gather supplies

ALL PATIENTS

Adults, Adolescents and

Children (Aged 2 years and above)

Collect the following listed items to prepare and give the injection:

Items provided to you with your FIRAZYR prescription:

  1. 1)

    Your FIRAZYR carton, which includes:

    • One single-use prefilled syringe (containing 3 mL of FIRAZYR solution).
    • One capped needle.
  2. 2) The administration supplies, which include(s):
  • One alcohol wipe.

For Adolescents (weighing 65 kg or less) and Children (Aged 2 years and above),

  • The following supplies are needed to measure out and transfer the dose:
  • One 3 mL graduated syringe.
  • One connector.

Not provided with FIRAZYR:

  1. 3)

    A sharps disposal container.

    • If you do not have a sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:

      • Made of heavy-duty plastic or metal. An empty detergent bottle or coffee can may be used.
      • Properly labelled. Using a marker, write “BIOHAZARD” on the container.
Step 2 – Getting started with FIRAZYR

ALL PATIENTS

Adults, Adolescents and

Children (Aged 2 years and above)

  • Find a clean surface to work and place your supplies.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry your hands well.
  • Remove the supplies from Step 1 from their packaging. Place them on the clean work surface.

  • Visually check the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe to make sure:

    • the medicine is clear, colourless and does not contain particles.
    • the prefilled syringe is not damaged.
    • the expiry date has not passed. The expiry date can be found on the prefilled syringe and the outer carton label.

If any of the above are not met:

  • Do NOT use the syringe, and
  • go to the nearest hospital emergency room to seek medical help right away.
  • Hold the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe firmly.
  • Remove the protective cap from the end of the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe.

  • Put down the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe on the clean work surface.

    Adults and Adolescents (weighing more than 65 kg):

    • Skip Step 3, and
    • Proceed to Step 4.

Adolescents (weighing 65 kg or less) and Children (Aged 2 years and above):

  • Proceed to Step 3.

Step 3 – Preparing the Graduated Syringe –

Measuring out and transferring

the dose from the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe

ADOLESCENTS (weighing 65 kg or less)

and

CHILDREN (Aged 2 years and above)

A) Preparing the Empty Graduated Syringe and Connector

  • Remove the caps on each end of the connector.

Avoid touching the ends of the connector and syringe tips to prevent contamination.

  • Screw the connector onto the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe.
  • Attach the graduated syringe to the other end of the connector. Make sure that both connections fit securely.

B) Transferring FIRAZYR to the Empty Graduated Syringe

  • Use the table below to determine how much FIRAZYR you will need to measure out and transfer.

    If you are not sure of how much solution to draw up, ask your healthcare professional.

    Dosing for Adolescents and Children:

Body WeightVolume (Dose) to Measure Out and Transfer
12 kg to 25 kg1.0 mL
26 kg to 40 kg1.5 mL
41 kg to 50 kg2.0 mL
51 kg to 65 kg2.5 mL
  • Push the plunger of the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe slowly. This will start the transfer of FIRAZYR.
  • If the FIRAZYR solution does not begin to transfer to the graduated syringe, pull slightly on the plunger of the graduated syringe. Do this until the FIRAZYR solution starts to flow into the graduated syringe.
  • Continue to push on the plunger of the prefilled syringe. Do this until the required injection volume (dose) is transferred to the graduated syringe. Use the markings on the graduated syringe to measure the dose.

C) If there is Air in the Graduated Syringe:

  • Turn the connected syringes so that the prefilled syringe is on top.
  • Push the plunger of the graduated syringe to transfer any air back into the prefilled syringe.
  • Pull gently on the plunger of the graduated syringe. Do this until the required injection volume is transferred to the graduated syringe. Use the marking on the graduated syringe to measure the dose.
  • You may need to repeat these actions several times.

D) Disconnect the Graduated Syringe:

  • Remove the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe and connector from the graduated syringe.
  • Put down the graduated syringe on the clean work surface.

  • Discard the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe and connector into a sharps disposal container.

    Be sure to use each FIRAZYR prefilled syringe only once. Re-use may lead to infection or other illness/injury.

Step 4 – Preparing the syringe and needle for injection

ALL PATIENTS

Adults, Adolescents and

Children (Aged 2 years and above)

  • Remove the needle cap from the blister tray.
  • Twist the lid of the needle cap to break the seal.
  • Keep the needle inside the protective needle cap until ready to use.

  • Grip the syringe firmly.

    • For adults and adolescents weighing more than 65 kg: The syringe is the FIRAZYR prefilled syringe.
    • For adolescents weighing less than 65 kg and children: The syringe is the graduated syringe.
  • Carefully attach the needle to the prefilled syringe.
  • Firmly screw the needle on the syringe containing the FIRAZYR dose. Be careful not to remove the needle from the needle cap.
Step 5 – Preparing the injection site

ALL PATIENTS

Adults, Adolescents and

Children (Aged 2 years and above)

  • Choose the injection site. The injection site should be a fold of skin on the stomach, about 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) below the belly button on either side.
  • The area you choose for injection should be at least 5 centimeters (2 inches) away from any scars. Do NOT choose an area that is bruised, swollen, or painful.
  • Clean the FIRAZYR injection site with an alcohol wipe and allow it to dry.
Step 6 – Injecting FIRAZYR

ALL PATIENTS

Adults, Adolescents and

Children (Aged 2 years and above)

  • Remove the needle from the needle cap by holding the needle cap and carefully pulling the syringe. Do NOT pull up on the plunger.
  • Hold the syringe in one hand, between your fingers and thumb.
  • Use your other hand to gently pinch the fold of skin you cleaned with the alcohol wipe between your thumb and fingers for your injection.
  • Hold the syringe between a 45 to 90 degree angle to the skin with the needle facing the fold of skin you are holding.
  • Hold the fold of skin. Bring the syringe to the skin and quickly insert the needle into the skin fold.
  • Slowly push the plunger at the top of the syringe over at least 30 seconds. Continue to push the plunger until no FIRAZYR is left in the syringe.
  • Release the skin fold and gently pull the needle out.
Step 7 – Disposing of your used syringe.

ALL PATIENTS

Adults, Adolescents and

Children (Aged 2 years and above)

  • Discard the used syringe, with the needle attached, into a sharps disposal container. Do NOT throw away used syringes in your household waste.
  • Always keep the sharps container out of the reach and sight of children.
  • When your sharps container is almost full, you will need to follow your local guidelines for the right way to throw away your sharps container. Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist how to do this if you are unsure.
  • Do NOT throw away any used sharps disposal container in your household waste. Do NOT recycle your used sharps container.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much FIRAZYR, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

Missed dose:

Not applicable.

What are possible side effects from using FIRAZYR?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking FIRAZYR. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

  • burning, redness, swelling, pain, itching, or warmth at the injection site
  • abdominal pain or distension
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • fever
  • upper respiratory tract infection (common cold)
  • inflammation of the sinuses
  • nasal congestion
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • worsening or recurrence of HAE
  • rash
  • hives
  • dry mouth
  • fatigue

FIRAZYR may affect certain liver enzyme levels in your blood. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

Serious Side Effects and What To Do About Them

Frequency/Side Effect/SymptomTalk to Your Healthcare ProfessionalStop Taking the Drug and Get Immediate Medical Help
Only if SevereIn All Cases
UNCOMMON
Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms): rapid, slow or irregular heartbeatX
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (infection in urinary system including kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra): Pain or burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, blood in urine, pain in the pelvis, strong smelling urine, cloudy urineX
UNKNOWN
Heart and non-heart related chest painX
Myocardial infarction (heart attack): pressure or squeezing pain between the shoulder blades, inX
Frequency/Side Effect/SymptomTalk to Your Healthcare ProfessionalStop Taking the Drug and Get Immediate Medical Help
Only if SevereIn All Cases
the chest, jaw, left arm or upper abdomen, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness, clammy skin, sweating, indigestion, anxiety, feeling faint and possible irregular heartbeat.
Increased levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) in the blood: dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes
X

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

  • Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
  • Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

  • Store at 2 to 25°C. Do not freeze.
  • Store FIRAZYR in the original carton until you are ready to use it.
  • Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about FIRAZYR:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional.

  • Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (https://www.takeda.com/en-ca/what-we-

    • -medicines), or by calling 1-800-268-2772.
  • For information about Takeda’s OnePath Patient Support Program, contact Takeda at 1-800-268-2772.

22 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3800

Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3

Last revised: OCT 24, 2024

FIRAZYR® and the FIRAZYR Logo are registered trademarks of Shire Orphan Therapies GmbH.

TAKEDA® and the TAKEDA Logo are registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, used under license.

About this document

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · DIN (Drug Identification Number): 02425696

Revision date stated in the text: October 24, 2024

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Firazyr

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
DIN 02425696
Schedule(s) PRESCRIPTION
Active ingredient(s) Icatibant (icatibant acetate) 10 MG
Dosage form(s) Solution
Route(s) of administration Subcutaneous
Drug class (WHO ATC)
  1. B Blood and blood forming organ drugs
    1. B06 Other hematological agents
      1. B06A Other hematological agents
        1. B06AC Drugs used in hereditary angioedema
          1. B06AC02 Icatibant
Company TAKEDA CANADA INC
Current status Marketed
Current status date July 21, 2021

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs, data as of November 1, 2026. Data from the Health Canada Drug Product Database, as published there. Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.