Acute attacks
Sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema.
Clinical trials
Studies that evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medications or medical devices before they are approved for use by the general public.
Ecallantide (e-KAL-lan-tide)
A protein made in yeast cells; ecallantide is the active ingredient in KALBITOR (ecallantide).
HAE
Abbreviation for hereditary angioedema.
Hereditary Angioedema
A rare, hereditary disease of the immune system that causes attacks of sudden swelling in various parts of the body.
KALBITOR Access®
KALBITOR Access is a program that provides support services to hereditary angioedema patients, healthcare professionals and caregivers. KALBITOR Access services include health insurance coordination, financial assistance for qualified patients, and treatment location set up.
KALBITOR CareSM
KALBITOR Care is a program offered by Dyax Corp. that provides comprehensive support services for KALBITOR patients. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, KALBITOR Care offers a complete array of patient services and resources, along with the support of healthcare professionals.
KALBITOR Home Infusion ServicesSM
KALBITOR Home Infusion Services is a program in which an experienced infusion nurse will administer your subcutaneous KALBITOR treatment in the comfort of your own home. This professional service is available to HAE patients, 16 years of age or older, who use KALBITOR to treat their sudden HAE attacks on demand. KALBITOR Home Infusion Services is not appropriate for treating laryngeal attacks.
KALBITOR® (KAL-bit-or)
A prescription medicine used to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema in patients 16 years of age and older. KALBITOR® is not a cure for HAE.
Laryngeal attack
An HAE attack that affects the larynx (throat); this can block or close the airway, leading to difficulty breathing and, potentially, death.
Larynx
The part of the throat that contains the vocal cords and is used for breathing, swallowing, and talking.
On-demand treatment
On-demand HAE treatment is used to treat sudden attacks of HAE as they occur, in order to relieve symptoms associated with the attack. On-demand treatment is not used to prevent attacks from occurring.
Plasma kallikrein (kal'i-kre'in)
A protein in the body that triggers the release of a substance that may lead to hereditary angioedema attack symptoms.
Subcutaneous
Under the skin.
Trigger
In hereditary angioedema, something that causes an attack.
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Should I just wait this attack out?

That was my first question. Now I know that I have KALBITOR® (ecallantide), an on-demand treatment for my sudden HAE attacks, available to me with the help of KALBITOR CareSM.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

Marina's Story

Results from treatment with KALBITOR may vary. Talk to your doctor to find out if KALBITOR is right for you. Make sure to read KALBITOR Important Safety Information regarding serious allergic reactions and review the Medication Guide before getting treatment with KALBITOR.

"For a long time, no one knew what was wrong with me."

At age 16, Marina has become a teacher of sorts, educating the adults around her about hereditary angioedema (HAE) and how her sudden HAE attacks should be managed.

Diagnosed in June 2010, Marina has dealt with frequent HAE attacks, severe pain, hospitalizations, and the need to put her once-active life on hold. Through it all, she maintains a strong, positive attitude and a maturity beyond her years.

"For a long time, no one knew what was wrong with me," Marina recalls. "I was the first patient my pediatrician had ever seen with HAE. We had to educate the fire departments in our surrounding towns, and the ambulance services, and the two hospitals closest to where I live, about what to do for me. No one knows what it is, so I try to speak up for myself as much as I can."

Marina manages her HAE with a two-fold treatment plan: regular therapy to prevent most attacks, and KALBITOR for those HAE attacks that still occur. She received her first KALBITOR treatment while recovering from a severe acute attack in the intensive care unit. When the drug worked, Marina and her family contacted KALBITOR Access® to arrange on-demand treatment availability for her future attacks. "We were so lucky that KALBITOR was available," says her mother, Lisa. "Our health insurance approval was instantaneous. KALBITOR was set up and ready for her in weeks."

Having a plan to help reduce the frequency of attacks, as well as a plan to treat them if they do occur, helps Marina and her family feel a little more in control. "I feel like I'm doing everything that I can for my HAE," Marina says. "Having an HAE attack is not fun. It is painful and it makes me feel weak and tired. But now that I have a treatment plan in place, it feels more manageable."

Marina says that after taking KALBITOR, she feels great relief. "It works really good for me. It starts working in about 45 minutes to an hour. I'm usually stubborn if I feel an attack coming and try to wait it out, but I'll always go to the hospital to take KALBITOR if I feel the attack in my stomach or throat."

Marina's doctors have said she needs to temporarily give up playing the sports she loves, especially softball, because the activity could trigger an HAE attack. Although she's been unable to return to school this year because of the frequency of her attacks, she works with a tutor and recently made high honors. When she's not studying, she spends time with friends and has been listening to and learning about music.

Looking to the future, Marina says she'd like to become an ER nurse, or perhaps go in a different direction and become a music producer. "My life has changed a lot since I was diagnosed," she says. "I can't play sports or go to school, but it's important to keep a positive outlook. I'm lucky because I have a good support system from my family."

A certain quote carries deep meaning for Marina: "You're given this life because you're strong enough to live it." Marina's strength, intelligence, and maturity—combined with her thorough treatment plan—overshadow the challenges of living with HAE.

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KALBITOR is a prescription medicine used to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in patients 16 years of age and older. KALBITOR is not a cure for HAE.
Important Safety Information EXPAND ›

KALBITOR® (ecallantide) for subcutaneous use should only be given by a doctor or nurse with appropriate medical support to treat serious allergic reactions and your hereditary angioedema. You should read the Medication Guide before you start receiving KALBITOR and before each treatment.

Serious allergic reactions may happen in some people who receive KALBITOR. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and usually happen within 1 hour after receiving KALBITOR.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to KALBITOR can be similar to the symptoms of hereditary angioedema, the condition that you are being treated for. Your doctor or nurse should watch you for any signs of a serious allergic reaction after treatment with KALBITOR. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction during or after treatment with KALBITOR:

  • wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, or trouble breathing
  • dizziness, fainting, fast or weak heartbeat, or feeling nervous
  • reddening of the face, itching, hives, or feeling warm
  • swelling of the throat or tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing
  • runny nose or sneezing

Do not receive KALBITOR if you are allergic to KALBITOR. Before receiving KALBITOR, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to KALBITOR.

Before receiving KALBITOR, tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including any allergies you may have, whether you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast feeding or plan to breast feed. It is not known if KALBITOR will harm your unborn baby or if KALBITOR passes into your breast milk.

Common side effects of KALBITOR include headache, nausea, diarrhea, fever, injection site reactions, such as redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising, and stuffy nose.

Talk to your doctor for more information and if you have any questions about your treatment.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.