Berinert

Generic name: Complement C1 Esterase Inhibitor
Drug class: Hereditary angioedema agents

Usage of Berinert

Berinert is a man-made form of a protein that occurs naturally in the blood stream and helps control swelling in the body. People with a condition called hereditary angioedema do not have enough of this protein. Hereditary angioedema can cause attacks of swelling and symptoms such as stomach problems or trouble breathing.

Berinert is used in people with hereditary angioedema.

Berinert is used to treat attacks of angioedema. The Cinryze and Haegarda brands are used to prevent attacks of angioedema.

Berinert side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Berinert: hives; chest tightness, fast heartbeats, feeling light-headed; wheezing or difficult breathing, blue lips or gums; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body;

pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg;

sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

chest pain while taking deep breaths; or

fast heart rate.

Common Berinert side effects may include:

unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;

headache, dizziness;

nausea, vomiting;

pain, bruising, itching, swelling, bleeding, warmth, or a hard lump where the medicine was injected;

stuffy nose, sore throat;

rash; or

fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Berinert

You should not use Berinert if have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to complement C1 esterase inhibitor.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a stroke or blood clot;

heart problems; or

an "in-dwelling" catheter.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Berinert is made from donated human plasma and may contain viruses or other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of contamination, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Ask your doctor about any possible risk.

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How to use Berinert

Usual Adult Dose for Hereditary Angioedema:

For treatment of acute abdominal, facial or laryngeal attacks of HAE: Berinert: 20 units per kg body weight intravenously at a rate of approximately 4 mL per minute (500 units/10 mL).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hereditary Angioedema:

For treatment of acute abdominal, facial or laryngeal attacks of HAE: 13 years and older: Berinert: 20 units per kg body weight intravenously at a rate of approximately 4 mL per minute (500 units/10 mL)

Warnings

You should not use Berinert if have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to complement C1 esterase inhibitor.

Before you receive Berinert, tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke or blood clot.

Stop the Berinert infusion and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing or difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other serious side effects may include sudden numbness or weakness, chest pain, confusion, pain or swelling, and problems with vision, speech, or balance.

Berinert is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Berinert

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

Testosterone; or

birth control pills.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with complement C1 esterase inhibitor, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Haegarda is a man-made form of a protein called C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), that is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) to prevent angioedema attacks in adults, adolescents, and children over the age of 6 with hereditary angioedema (HAE). Haegarda replaces missing C1-INH, preventing the generation of bradykinin and other substances that increase the permeability of blood vessels. Continue reading

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