Cinryze side effects: What you should know

Cinryze can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Cinryze in clinical trials:

• rash
• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• headache*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Cinryze use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Cinryze’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Cinryze include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• rash
• fever
• dizziness
• itching
• pain at the infusion site
• headache*
• mild allergic reaction†

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Cinryze and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Cinryze. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Cinryze may cause serious side effects, although they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Cinryze’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Cinryze, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• Infections, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Symptoms can include:
  • changes in mood or behavior
  • trouble sleeping
  • rash
  • vision problems
  • memory loss
• Serious blood clots*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Cinryze. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Cinryze may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Cinryze compare with those seen with Berinert or Ruconest?

Cinryze, Berinert, and Ruconest have a few similar side effects. It is also important to note that Cinryze prevents hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks, while Berinet and Reconest treat acute HAE attacks.

All three medications can cause headache and nausea. However, Cinryze can also cause vomiting, rash, and fever while Berinert can cause abdominal pain and a bad taste in your mouth. Ruconest can also cause diarrhea, which is not seen with the other two medications.

Additionally, Cinryze and Berinert have an increased risk of blood clots and serious infection, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These risks are not seen with Ruconest.

To learn more about Cinryze, Berinert, and Reconest and which medication may be best for you, talk with your doctor.

Is Cinryze safe for older adults?

Yes, Cinryze appears to be safe for use in older adults. No differences in side effects have been reported between older and younger adults.

If you have questions about the use of Cinryze in older adults, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of Cinryze’s possible side effects. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Cinryze.

Headache

Headaches were a common side effect in clinical trials of Cinryze. This was the most commonly reported side effect. Headaches are usually mild and may go away as your body adjusts to the drug.

What you can do

If you have frequent or bothersome headaches, talk with your doctor. They may recommend an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help relieve your headache.

If you have a sudden headache that is severe or is accompanied by loss of vision or numbness in your body, get medical help right away. This could be a sign of a more serious condition.

Blood clots

Using Cinryze can cause blood clots, such as pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, which may be serious. This can also lead to a heart attack or stroke in some cases. Blood clots weren’t commonly reported in clinical trials of the drug.

Symptoms of a blood clot may include:

• chest pain or discomfort
• shortness of breath
• weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• pain or swelling in an arm or leg
• fast heart rate

What you can do

You may have a higher risk of blood clots during treatment with Cinryze if you’ve had blood clots in the past or have certain risk factors for developing them. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors before starting treatment with Cinryze. (To learn more about risk factors, see the “Precautions for Cinryze” section below).

If you have symptoms of a blood clot, talk with your doctor right away. However, if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Cinryze can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Cinryze. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Cinryze. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

History of blood clots: If you have had a blood clot in the past, you may be at an increased risk of developing another blood clot while using Cinryze. This is because Cinryze can cause blood clots. Before using Cinryze, be sure to tell your doctor if you have had a blood clot before. They can help determine if Cinryze is safe for you.

Taking birth control pills or androgen medications: Certain birth control pills that contain estrogen or androgen medications, such as testosterone, can increase your risk for blood clots. Because Cinryze can cause blood clots, taking Cinryze with birth control pills or an androgen medication can further increase your risk. Before starting treatment with Cinryze, talk with your doctor about any medications you take, especially birth control pills or androgen medications. They can determine if Cinryze is a safe treatment option for you.

Indwelling catheter in a vein: You may be at a higher risk for blood clots if you have an indwelling venous catheter. If you have an indwelling venous catheter, you may be at a higher risk for blood clots. This is a small tube that a healthcare professional inserts into your vein, and a doctor administers your medication through it. Using Cinryze when you have an indwelling catheter can further increase your risk of blood clots. Talk with your doctor before using Cinryze if you have an indwelling catheter. They can decide whether Cinryze is right for you.

Immobility or morbid obesity: If you are unable to move around for a long period (such as after surgery, being a wheelchair user, or bedridden), you may be at a higher risk of blood clots while taking Cinryze. You may also be at an increased risk if you have morbid obesity. Talk with your doctor about your risk of blood clots. They can help determine if Cinryze is the right treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Cinryze or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Cinryze. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding:It is unknown if Cinryze is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor before starting Cinryze if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption:There are no known interactions between Cinryze and alcohol. Talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol during treatment with Cinryze.

Most side effects that Cinryze causes are mild and may go away as your body adjusts to the drug. Serious side effects aren’t common. If you’d like to learn more about Cinryze, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Cinryze:For details about other aspects of Cinryze, refer to this article.
• Drug comparison:To learn how Cinryze compares with Haegarda, see the Cinryze vs. Haegarda section in this article.
• Dosage: For information about the dosage of Cinryze, view this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.