Ekterly: Dosage, side effects, uses, interactions, cost, and more

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ekterly to treat attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE). It’s prescribed for adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Ekterly is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form. (A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication but usually costs less.)

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Ekterly is available as an oral tablet. It comes in one strength of 300 milligrams (mg).

For HAE attacks, the typical dose of Ekterly is 600 mg (2 tablets) taken as soon as symptoms begin.

If your symptoms do not improve, worsen, or return, you may take another 600 mg (2 tablets) at least 3 hours after the first dose.

The maximum recommended dosage of Ekterly within 24 hours is 1,200 mg (4 tablets).

Your doctor may prescribe a different dosage depending on certain factors, such as your liver function. Talk with them if you have questions about the Ekterly dosage that’s right for you.

Ekterly is approved to treat HAE attacks in children ages 12 years and older. For this use, the recommended dosage of Ekterly is the same as for adults. For details, see the previous “Dosage for HAE attacks” section.

Do not take more Ekterly than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Ekterly may cause mild to serious side effects. The following sections contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Ekterly, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

For more information about possible side effects of this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Ekterly and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects of Ekterly can include headache. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Ekterly’s prescribing information.

This side effect may go away within a few hours of taking a dose. However, if it becomes more severe or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects from Ekterly aren’t common. In fact, no serious side effects were reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

However, serious side effects can still occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency phone number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

For some people, Ekterly may cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking Ekterly.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ekterly, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

Ekterly is FDA-approved to treat attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

HAE is an inherited condition that causes sudden episodes of swelling, often called HAE attacks. These episodes can be painful and severe. Swelling can occur in many parts of the body, including the face, airway, and stomach or intestines.

Symptoms vary depending on the area affected. For example, swelling in the stomach or intestines can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting. Swelling in the airway can become a life threatening emergency if it blocks breathing.

To learn more about Ekterly for HAE attacks, talk with your doctor.

Ekterly is approved to treat HAE attacks in children ages 12 years and older. For details about this condition, see the previous “Ekterly for HAE attacks” section. To learn more about this use, talk with your child’s doctor.

Ekterly can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements and foods.

Before taking Ekterly, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Here is a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Ekterly. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Ekterly. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol is not known to interact with Ekterly. If you have questions about whether alcohol is safe to drink while taking Ekterly, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of Ekterly can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Ekterly or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. A program called KalVista Cares is available for Ekterly. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-432-3322 or visit the program website.

Generic version: Ekterly is not available in a generic form. (A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.)

Other drugs are available that can treat attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Ekterly, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It’s not known whether Ekterly should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

It’s not known whether Ekterly should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Ekterly is approved to treat hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. During an HAE attack, the body makes too much of a natural chemical that causes blood vessels to widen and leak. This leads to sudden swelling and pain.

Ekterly’s mechanism of action (how it works) is by blocking a certain protein that helps the body produce this chemical. By lowering the amount your body makes, Ekterly can help reduce swelling and ease the symptoms of an HAE attack.

If you have questions about how Ekterly works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking Ekterly, discuss your health history with your doctor. This medication may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of this medication, see the “Ekterly side effects” section.

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.