Kalbitor (ecallantide) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for hereditary angioedema attacks in adults and some children. Kalbitor comes as a liquid that’s given as a subcutaneous injection by a healthcare professional.
Kalbitor is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called plasma kallikrein inhibitors. Kalbitor is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Kalbitor, including its strength and how the medication is used. For a comprehensive look at Kalbitor, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Kalbitor provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Kalbitor dosage that’s right for you.
Below is information about Kalbitor’s recommended dosage.
Kalbitor form
Kalbitor comes as a liquid solution in a 1 milliliter (mL) single-dose vial. It is always given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin) by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.
Kalbitor strength
Kalbitor comes in one strength of 10 milligrams per 1 milliliter (mg/mL).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for hereditary angioedema
Doctors may prescribe Kalbitor to treat acute (sudden) and painful hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. The recommended dose of Kalbitor for children ages 12 years and older is the same as the dosage for adults.
The recommended dose of Kalbitor is 30 mg, given subcutaneously (under the skin) in three separate injections of 10 mg (1 mL) each. If you still have symptoms after you receive Kalbitor injections, you may get another dose of 30 mg within 24 hours of your first dose.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Kalbitor is approved to treat acute (sudden) and painful attacks of HAE in children ages 12 years and older.
The recommended dose of Kalbitor is 30 mg, given subcutaneously (under the skin) as three separate injections of 10 mg (1 mL) each. If your child still has symptoms after they receive Kalbitor injections, they may get another dose of 30 mg within 24 hours of their first dose.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Kalbitor is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. However, you will only use Kalbitor if you have an acute attack of HAE. If you and your doctor determine that Kalbitor is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long-term as part of your treatment plan for HAE.
Before you start taking Kalbitor, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Kalbitor dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how your body responds to Kalbitor
- serious side effects you may have with Kalbitor
Kalbitor comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose vial. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give it as a subcutaneous injection.
With a subcutaneous injection, your doctor will inject the medication under your skin. They’ll give you a total of three injections into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You may receive your injections in the same area or different spots. Your injection typically won’t be given within 2 inches of any areas where attack symptoms are occurring.
You’ll receive your Kalbitor injections in a clinic or hospital. This is because Kalbitor can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Kalbitor has a
Below are some frequently asked questions about Kalbitor.
Is the dosage of Kalbitor similar to the dosage of Ruconest?
There are similarities in how often you take Kalbitor and Ruconest, but they are given in different ways.
Kalbitor is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin. It’s always given by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital. It is used only when you have an acute attack of HAE.
Ruconest is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion into the vein, and it’s given over 5 minutes. Ruconest can be given by a healthcare professional, or a caregiver can be taught how to give the infusions at home. Also, Ruconest is only used when you have an acute attack of HAE.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Kalbitor to start working?
Kalbitor starts to work soon after you receive the injections. However, you may not see the symptoms go away immediately. Most people who use Kalbitor have a significant decrease in their symptoms 4 hours after their first dose.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Kalbitor treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kalbitor for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about your Kalbitor dosage, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Kalbitor. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Kalbitor: For information about other aspects of Kalbitor, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about the side effects of Kalbitor, see the Kalbitor prescribing information.
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.