An evidence-based review of the potential role of icatibant in the treatment of acute attacks in hereditary angioedema type I and II

n evidence-based review of the potential role of icatibant in the treatment of acute attacks in hereditary angioedema type I and II Review (939) Total Article Views Authors: Floccard B, Hautin E, Bouillet L, Coppere B, Allaouchiche B Published Date September 2012 Volume 2012:7 Pages 105 - 114 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CE.S24743 Received: 24 April 2012 Accepted: 21 June 2012 Published: 27 September 2012 Bernard Floccard,1 Etienne Hautin,1 Laurence Bouillet,2 Brigitte Coppere,3 Bernard Allaouchiche1 1Département d'Anesthésie Réanimation, Centre de Référence des Angi dèmes à Bradykinine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, H pital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, 2Clinique Universitaire de Médecine Interne, Centre National de Référence des Angi dèmes à Bradykinine, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, 3Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence des Angi dèmes à Bradykinine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, H pital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France Introduction: Icatibant, a first-in-class B2 bradykinin receptor antagonist, appears to have a favorable efficacy and safety profile for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in adults. Aims: To update the evidence and provide an overview of the available data on icatibant. Evidence review: Peer reviewed articles published and listed in Medline Search and published updated guidelines for the treatment of acute attacks in hereditary angioedema type I and II in adults were reviewed. The validity and quality of evidence were evaluated. Place in therapy: Clinical evidence for the treatment of acute hereditary angioedema attacks with icatibant is strong. Approximately 10% of the patients require a second dose. No serious adverse reactions have been reported. The only significant side effects consistently registered by 90% of patients are transient local pain, swelling, and erythema at the local injection site. Conclusion: Subcutaneously administered 30 mg icatibant has been shown to be a safe and efficacious treatment in clinical trials. It is the only specific treatment authorized for self-administration by the subcutaneous route offering increased patient independence.