[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Hereditary angioedema agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/hereditary-angioedema-agents/) › Icatibant

# Icatibant

## Hereditary angioedema agents?

Hereditary angioedema agents

A synthetic peptide that blocks the bradykinin B2 receptor; injected under the skin, it treats acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in adults.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Hereditary angioedema agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/hereditary-angioedema-agents/)

**Target**
Bradykinin B2 receptor (G-protein–coupled)

**Used for**
Acute attacks

**Key effects**
Injection-site reactions · Fever · Dizziness

**Monitor**
Airway and breathing during · Response of the swelling

**ATC**
B06AC02

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◎**Bradykinin B2 receptor (G-protein–coupled)**Icatibant

ⓘ The figure shows icatibant itself (a short peptide chain) bound to the human bradykinin B2 receptor (cryo-EM); as a peptide it has no small-molecule ligand.

**Target in 3D:** Bradykinin B2 receptor (G-protein–coupled). PDB structure 9UVU (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9UVU) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Icatibant is a synthetic decapeptide containing five non-natural amino acids. It competes with bradykinin for the B2 receptor on blood vessels, so bradykinin can no longer open the vessel wall, and the swelling of a hereditary angioedema attack recedes.

- In an attack, bradykinin floods the tissues
- Icatibant occupies the B2 receptor instead
- Vessels stop leaking and the swelling recedes

## Indications

- Acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in adults [Urticaria and angioedema →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/urticaria-and-angioedema/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Injection-site reactions (bruising, redness, swelling, warmth, pain) in almost all patients
- Fever
- Dizziness, drowsiness, headache
- Nausea, rash
- Raised liver enzymes

### Serious (rare, important)

- Airway obstruction from a laryngeal attack: the drug does not replace emergency care

## Contraindications

- None listed on the label beyond allergy to the product
- Caution in acute coronary ischaemia, unstable angina and the weeks after a stroke (theoretical risk from blocking bradykinin)

## Key interactions

**ACE inhibitors**
Icatibant may weaken their blood-pressure–lowering effect; ACE inhibitors themselves can trigger bradykinin angioedema

## What is monitored

- Airway and breathing during and after the attack
- Response of the swelling
- Number of injections used per day

## Administration and safety

- Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen at the start of an attack; patients can self-inject after training
- The solution should be clear and colourless, without particles
- There is a limit on repeat doses within 24 hours, as the label states
- With throat swelling, emergency care is sought immediately after the injection

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Published data have not shown a clear risk of major birth defects; use in pregnancy is weighed by the treating team.

## Nursing care

- Assess the airway first; prepare for airway support in laryngeal attacks
- Teach injection technique and the warning signs that need emergency care
- Warn about drowsiness and dizziness: no driving until the effect is known
- Ask about ACE inhibitor use

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Subcutaneous; bioavailability about 97%, peak in under 1 hour

**Metabolism**
Broken down by proteolytic enzymes, not by cytochrome P450

**Elimination**
Mainly in urine as inactive fragments; under 10% unchanged

**Half-life**
About 1.4 hours

## Memory aid

«I-CAT-ibant blocks the B2 door»: bradykinin knocks, icatibant has already shut it.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which receptor does icatibant block?

The bradykinin B2 receptor.

## What is its most common adverse effect?

A reaction at the injection site.

## Is icatibant used to prevent attacks?

No, it treats acute attacks.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/icatibant/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [C1 esterase inhibitor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/c1-esterase-inhibitor/)
- [Lanadelumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lanadelumab/)
- [Berotralstat](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/berotralstat/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Urticaria and angioedema](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/urticaria-and-angioedema/)

[← Back to the class: Hereditary angioedema agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/hereditary-angioedema-agents/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Icatibant injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a623036.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); [DailyMed - ICATIBANT injection](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=aeb5406c-9501-4f43-8134-5b02a7fa7451) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/icatibant/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/icatibant/