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Treatment for hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) can be managed with medications including on-demand treatment to treat sudden attacks and prophylaxis to prevent future attacks.

On-demand treatment.

These are medications you take when you have an attack. Start on-demand treatment as soon as you feel an attack coming on, no matter where the attack is happening in your body.

Your on-demand treatment can:

  • Relieve symptoms and keep the swelling from getting worse
  • Prevent life-threatening problems, such as swelling in your airway
  • Help improve your quality of life

Remember, it may take 30 to 60 minutes for the treatment to start working.

Be sure to talk to your doctor if an attack is:

  • New or seems different from past attacks
  • Not improving even after using your on-demand treatment

Prophylaxis.

These types of medications are used on a regular basis to help prevent future attacks. Prophylaxis can be short term or long term.

  • Short-term medications are used for a short period of time when you have a higher chance of an attack. For example, your doctor may tell you to use your HAE medication before medical or dental procedures.
  • Long-term medications are used on an ongoing basis to reduce the number and severity of attacks.

There are a number of medications available to effectively treat HAE. Some are infused IV (intravenously, or in the veins), while others are given SC (subcutaneously, or under the skin). Your doctor will let you know if your medication should be given:

  • In a health care setting
  • At home by an infusion nurse
  • At home by you (self-administration) or a caregiver

Your doctor will work with you to determine the type of treatment that’s right for you. You may only need medication to treat sudden attacks. If your doctor recommends prophylaxis, he or she will decide whether it should be short or long term.

If you have any questions about your medications, or if you have concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor or call your CVS Specialty HAE CareTeam at the phone number listed on your prescription label.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. CVS Specialty assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result, nor is it responsible for the reliability of the content.

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