Cinryze

Generic name: complement C1 esterase inhibitor [ KOM-ple-ment-C1 ES-ter-ase-in-HIB-it-or ]
Drug class: Hereditary angioedema agents

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Feb 12, 2024.

What is Cinryze?

Cinryze 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.

Cinryze is used to prevent attacks of angioedema.

The Berinert brand of complement C1 esterase inhibitor is used to treat attacks of angioedema.

Warnings

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

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

Do not give this medication to a child without medical advice.

You may be shown how to use Cinryze in an IV at home. Cinryze comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow all directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not self-inject Cinryze if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine. Be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication. Stop your IV 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.

Cinryze 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 medication.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Cinryze 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.

Cinryze 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.

How should I use Cinryze?

Use Cinryze exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Cinryze is injected into a vein through an IV.

You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

Cinryze is usually given every 3 or 4 days to prevent angioedema attacks.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Cinryze is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using this medicine at home, you will need to use two vials to make up a single dose. Follow all directions carefully. Be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Gently swirl but do not shake the mixed medicine or you may ruin it. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give yourself an injection.

The powder and diluent mixture should be clear and colorless. Mixed Cinryze should be clear or slightly blue in color. Do not use the mixed medicine if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Each single-use vial (bottle) of Cinryze is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Cinryze contains no preservative. Once you have pierced the rubber top of a vial with a needle, you must use that vial right away or throw it away.

Store the unmixed dry powder in a refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Protect from light and do not freeze. Throw away any unused vial after the expiration date on the label has passed.

After mixing Cinryze with the diluent, use the injection right away or store the mixture at room temperature and use it within 3 hours.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hereditary Angioedema:

For routine prophylaxis against angioedema attacks in HAE patients.
1,000 Units by intravenous infusion at a rate of 1 mL per minute (1,000 units/ 10 mL) every 3 or 4 days.

Related/similar drugs

Takhzyro, Ruconest, Firazyr, Orladeyo, stanozolol, Berinert, Haegarda, Kalbitor

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

Keep this medicine on hand at all times to prevent angioedema, especially while traveling.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid after using Cinryze?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Cinryze side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Cinryze: 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 Cinryze 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.

What other drugs will affect Cinryze?

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.

Cinryze Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for Cinryze.

Popular FAQ

More FAQ

• What is Cinryze used for and how does it work?
• How is Berinert administered?
• What is Ruconest used for and how does it work?
• How does Berinert work for Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Cinryze only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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