CINRYZE® (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human]) is FDA-approved and targets the underlying cause of HAE attacks, a deficiency in a protein in your body called C1 esterase inhibitor. Cinryze C1 Esterase inhibitor (human) is used to prevent the symptoms of an HAE attack. CINRYZE therapy has been clinically proven to reduce the frequency of attacks, severity of attacks, and duration of attacks of HAE.
CINRYZE therapy is administered by intravenous (IV) push injection.
CINRYZE is a C1 inhibitor indicated for routine prophylaxis against angioedema attacks in adolescent and adult patients with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).
The following topics address questions you may have about your use of CINRYZE therapy for routine prophylaxis against HAE:
- What is CINRYZE?
- About your prescription
- Health insurance coverage
- Important safety information
- Talking to your physician
For full prescribing information, click here.
How does CINRYZE (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human]) work?
CINRYZE prevents HAE attacks by increasing the plasma levels of functional C1 inhibitor protein that your body is missing. HAE is caused by having either low levels of C1 inhibitor, or by having levels that are not functioning properly.
What is CINRYZE (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human]) indicated to prevent?
CINRYZE is an injectable medicine that is used to help prevent swelling and/or painful attacks in teenagers and adults with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).
Who should not take CINRYZE (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human])?
You should not use CINRYZE if you have had life-threatening immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis to the product.
What are the possible side effects of CINRYZE (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human])?
Important Risk Information
You should not use CINRYZE if you have had life-threatening immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis to the product.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if CINRYZE can harm your unborn baby.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if CINRYZE passes into your milk and if it can harm your baby.
- Or have a history of blood clotting problems. Very high doses of C1 esterase inhibitor could increase the risk of blood clots.
Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of the medicines you take, including all prescription and non-prescription medicines such as over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies.
Allergic reactions may occur with CINRYZE. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency support services right away if you have: wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, turning blue (look at lips and gums), fast heartbeat, swelling of the face, faintness, rash, or hives.
Because CINRYZE is made from human blood, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g. viruses, and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. In clinical studies, the most common side effects seen with CINRYZE were upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, rash and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of CINRYZE. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Do not use CINRYZE for a condition for which it is not prescribed. Do not share CINRYZE with other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have.
Do not attempt to self-administer unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider.
Before starting CINRYZE, please read the Patient Information carefully and each time you get a refill. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider, and it does not include all of the important information about CINRYZE. If you have questions after reading this, ask your healthcare provider.
How does one store CINRYZE (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human])?
CINRYZE should not be frozen; it can be stored cold or at room temperature, between 2 degrees and 25 degrees Celsius (36 degrees and 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Will CINRYZE (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human]) be covered by my health insurance?
CINRYZESolutions™ is a program sponsored by ViroPharma Incorporated that provides support services such as benefit coverage investigations, prior authorizations, and broad based reimbursement assistance at no charge to patients and healthcare providers. CinryzeSolutions also assists patients and healthcare providers by helping to secure adequate coverage for Cinryze C1 inhibitor (human). CINRYZESolutions is committed to ensuring that patients who are prescribed CINRYZE C1 inhibitor (human) will have access to this life saving product for the prevention of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).
For more information on CINRYZESolutions, please call (877) 945-1000
Write it down
Learning the early warning signs and symptoms of HAE—and what triggers HAE for you—is one way you can work with your doctor. Keep a journal of your signs and symptoms so you can discuss them. Make a note of:
- Early signs and symptoms. Do you notice any mood changes? Splotchy, red marks on your skin? Do you feel nauseated or tired? Is it increasingly more difficult to breathe? Spotting these—or any other—early signs will help you recognize when you need to get to a hospital or your doctor’s office, and when it is necessary to receive Cinryze C1 inhibitor (human).
- Triggers. Has HAE affected you before a family wedding? An annual check-up? Do you feel you get them more often if you’ve been sitting at a desk all day without a break? Triggers are easier to avoid when you know what they are.
Ask questions
Be proactive in managing your disease. The following are questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What are the situations where I might need preventive treatments to avoid an HAE attack?
- What else can you recommend I do to prevent attacks?
- Am I a good candidate for routine prophylaxis?
- Do you recommend that others in my family get tested for HAE?
- What are some of the warning signs of HAE?