Have you or someone you know ever experienced sudden swelling of parts of your body, especially your face, lips, tongue, or limbs, without any pain? Sometimes this swelling can even lead to difficulty breathing. We call this condition Angioedema. Today we are talking about a special vaccine that is given to prevent the swelling attacks that occur in this condition. It is called the C1 Inhibitor, Human vaccine.
Simply put, what is this C1 Inhibitor vaccine?
C1 Inhibitor is actually a protein that is naturally produced in all of our bodies. It controls some of the processes of our immune system. However, for some people, due to genetic reasons (this is called Hereditary Angioedema) or other reasons, this C1 Inhibitor protein is not produced in the body in sufficient quantities. That is when the sudden swelling occurs as mentioned earlier.
So, what this vaccine does is to give the body the C1 Inhibitor protein that is lacking. This vaccine is called 'Human' because it is purified from the plasma part of human blood and produced after a special process. This medicine can be found on the market under brand names like Cinryze or HAEGARDA.
Most importantly, this medicine is used to prevent attacks of angioedema.
Things you should definitely tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor should be aware of your complete health history. Be sure to tell them if you have any of the following conditions:
- Blood clotting disorders: If you have previously had a blood clotting disorder, such as a blood clot in a vein in the leg (DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis) or stroke.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to the C1 Inhibitor vaccine or any other medicine, food, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you and how to give it.
How to use the medicine?
This medicine is given mainly in two ways.
1. Infusion into a vein: A method of giving a solution, such as saline, into a vein.
2. Injection under the skin: A small injection given under the skin.
This medicine is usually given to you by a healthcare professional at a hospital or clinic. However, in some cases, you may need to take this medicine at home. In this case, you will be given proper training on how to prepare the medicine and how to inject it correctly . It is very important to take the medicine at the right time and in the right dose, as your doctor tells you.
If you are using it at home, consider this too.
If you use needles and syringes at home, do not throw them in the trash after use. Use a sharps container. If you do not have one, ask your doctor about how to get one. This is important for your safety, that of your family, and the environment.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. But not everyone gets them. Let's break these side effects down into two categories.
| Side effects of the C1 Inhibitor vaccine | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of blood clots | Pain, swelling and warmth in a leg (DVT), difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding, difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance. |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe headaches, vision changes. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | This is a common side effect. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
A few other things to consider
- Overdose: If you think you have overdosed on any medication, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
- Made from human blood: As mentioned earlier, this medicine is made from human blood. Therefore, there is a very small, but not zero, risk of transmitting infections. However, this medicine is made after very strict purification and testing processes. So far, no infections have been reported. Talk to your doctor about any questions you may have about this.
- Do not share the medicine with others: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with others.
It is also very important to let your doctor know if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Take-Home Message
- C1 Inhibitor is a special vaccine given to prevent sudden swelling caused by Angioedema.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about all of your health information, especially blood clotting disorders and allergies.
- When using the medication, be aware of serious side effects (especially signs of blood clots or stroke). If you experience any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about this medication. Don't be afraid.
- If you use syringes at home, make sure to dispose of them properly and safely.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are Difenoxin and Atropine / Motofen tablets used for?
This is not a medicine you can just buy from a pharmacy! This is a combination of extremely powerful drugs belonging to a class of drugs (Opioid antidiarrheal) that doctors prescribe to immediately stop severe diarrhea or vomiting that is unbearable and continuous and like liquid!
💬 When severe diarrhea occurs, how can this pill (Motofen) stop the diarrhea immediately?
When you have a bowel movement, the intestines move rapidly and push the stool out. The Opioid drug (Difenoxin) in this medicine paralyzes the muscles in the intestines by 100% and slows down (Decreases GI motility). Then, when the stool is in the intestines, it absorbs water well and diarrhea stops immediately. Atropine (Anticholinergic) also helps to dry up the saliva/liquid flow from the intestines.
💬 Why is there a little atropine in this antidiarrheal pill? What are the dangers?
The 'Difenoxin' contained in this is a drug like Opioid! Therefore, if you drink a lot of this, you can get very 'drunk/high'. To prevent that, 'Atropine' is added as a punishment for those who drink these secretly! If you drink a lot of pills, this Atropine causes severe dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, and urinary retention (Anticholinergic toxicity). Also, if given to children, they can stop breathing (Respiratory depression) and even die!
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