title: Update on treatment of hereditary angioedema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease characterized by recurrent, self-limiting episodes of swelling. New therapies have recently emerged and are now available; however, many physicians are not aware of the new medications, and their indications and contraindications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To update allergists and primary care physicians on new advances in HAE therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PubMed literature search was used to develop this manuscript.
  
  
  METHODS
  English language peer-reviewed angioedema articles were selected. High quality Phase II and III placebo-controlled clinical trials were reviewed and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Until 2008, therapy for HAE consisted of symptom relief with narcotics, hydration and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Androgens and FFP are frequently used despite multiple, significant side effects. Newer therapies include C1-inhibitor--both human plasma derived and recombinant--as well as contact system modulators such as ecallantide and icatibant. All of these products can be used for treatment of acute attacks of HAE, and C1-inhibitors can also be used for prophylaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New, disease-specific therapies have recently emerged which are more efficacious, are proven to work by placebo-controlled studies, have minimal adverse effects, and can be utilized for the treatment of HAE.
authors: Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, 111 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, USA.
authors: Larisa V
authors: LV
authors: Buyantseva
authors: Niti
authors: N
authors: Sardana
authors: Timothy J
authors: TJ
authors: Craig
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D054179:Angioedemas, Hereditary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D050718:Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D010949:Plasma; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D050718:Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein; D009294:Narcotics; D010455:Peptides; D010919:Placebos; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C511194:ecallantide; C065679:icatibant; D001920:Bradykinin