Haegarda (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) is a prescription drug used to help prevent sudden hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. Haegarda comes as a liquid solution given as an injection under your skin, typically twice per week.
The active ingredient in Haegarda is C1 esterase inhibitor (human). Haegarda is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from living cells. It belongs to a group of drugs called C1 esterase inhibitors (human).
This article describes the dosages of Haegarda, as well as its strengths and how it’s given. To learn more about Haegarda, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosages of Haegarda. Keep reading to learn more.
What’s Haegarda’s form?
Haegarda comes as a powder in single-dose vials. It’s mixed with sterile water to make a liquid solution. It’s given as an injection under your skin.
What strengths does Haegarda come in?
Haegarda is available in two strengths: 2,000 International Units (IU) and 3,000 IU.
What are the usual dosages of Haegarda?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to inject the dosage your doctor prescribes. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for HAE
The typical Haegarda dosage to help prevent HAE attacks in adults is based on body weight. The dosage is 60 IU per kilogram (kg) of body weight given twice per week (3 or 4 days apart). For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
If you have questions about your dosage, talk with your doctor.
What’s the dosage of Haegarda for children?
Haegarda is prescribed to help prevent HAE attacks in children ages 6 years and older. The dosage for children is based on body weight, as it is for adults.
To learn more, see the “Dosage for HAE” section just above.
For more information about Haegarda’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is Haegarda used long term?
Yes, Haegarda is usually used long term to prevent HAE attacks. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
The dosage of Haegarda you’re prescribed depends on your body weight.
Haegarda comes as a powder that’s mixed with sterile water to make a liquid solution. It comes in a kit with the correct amount of sterile water to mix each dose. This liquid solution is then given as an injection under your skin.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself these injections at home.
You can also see the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to inject Haegarda.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Haegarda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss a dose of Haegarda, call your doctor right away. They may advise you to inject the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip the missed dose and inject your next dose at its usual time. Do not inject two doses of Haegarda at once to make up for a missed dose. This can increase your risk of serious side effects from the drug.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Haegarda on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Haegarda than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you inject too much Haegarda
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Haegarda. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Haegarda’s dosage.
Is Haegarda’s dosage similar to that of Berinert or Cinryze?
No. Although all three drugs have the same active ingredient (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]), there are differences.
Haegarda and Cinryze are used to prevent HAE attacks in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Berinert is used to treat immediate HAE attacks in adults and children ages 6 years and older. The dose in IUs for each drug differs.
Haegarda is dosed as 60 IU per kg of body weight. It’s given twice weekly (every 3 to 4 days) as an injection under your skin. Your doctor will show you how to give yourself doses at home.
Cinryze is given as an intravenous (IV) injection (an injection into your vein). It’s usually dosed as 500 IU or 1,000 IU and given once every 3 to 4 days. You may receive doses of Cinryze from a healthcare professional at a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. But in some cases, your doctor may show you or a caregiver how to give the doses at home.
Berinert is given as an IV injection. It’s dosed as 20 IU per kg of body weight. It’s given only when you need to treat HAE attacks. Your doctor may show you or a caregiver how to give doses at home. In some cases, you may receive these injections at a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them to learn more about how these drugs compare.
How long does it take for Haegarda to start working?
It may take several doses of Haegarda to build up a steady level of the drug in your system to prevent HAE attacks. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Haegarda treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Haegarda’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Do not change your dosage of Haegarda without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take this medication exactly as prescribed.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
- Can my dosage of Haegarda help treat an in-progress attack of HAE?
- How does Haegarda compare with icatibant acetate (Firazyr)?
- Will I need a dosage adjustment if I have liver problems?
To learn more about Haegarda, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.