Takhzyro (lanadelumab-flyo) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed to help prevent hereditary angioedema attacks in adults and certain children. As with other drugs, Takhzyro can cause side effects, such as injection site reactions.
Takhzyro can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Takhzyro in clinical trials:
- upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
- headache
- skin rash
- dizziness
- injection site reactions*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Takhzyro use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Takhzyro’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Takhzyro include:
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- muscle pain
- skin rash
- upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
- injection site reactions*
- increased liver enzyme levels*
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Takhzyro and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Based on the drug’s clinical trials, Takhzyro isn’t known to cause serious side effects other than allergic reaction. To learn more about allergic reactions and Takhzyro, see the “Allergic reaction” section. For more information, you can also refer to Takhzyro’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Takhzyro, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Takhzyro can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
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 the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble 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 Takhzyro, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Takhzyro may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Takhzyro.
Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions are the most common side effect reported in clinical trials of Takhzyro.
Injection site reactions are side effects that happen at or around the area where Takhzyro is injected. Takhzyro may be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. So injection site reactions can occur at any of these areas after injecting Takhzyro.
Injection site reactions reported in clinical trials of Takhzyro include:
- pain
- skin redness or discoloration
- bruising
- bleeding
- itchiness
- swelling
- skin rash
You may give yourself Takhzyro injections at home or receive them from a healthcare professional at their office, clinic, or similar setting. In clinical trials, there wasn’t a significant difference in injection site reactions based on whether Takhzyro was self-administered at home or given by a healthcare professional.
What you can do
To lower your risk of injection site reactions, avoid injecting Takhzyro into skin that is discolored, bruised, scarred, or injured. You can also rotate the site where you inject Takhzyro with each dose. For example, if your last dose was injected in your thigh, inject the next dose in your abdomen.
Injection site reactions from Takhzyro are typically mild and go away on their own. If you develop symptoms of an injection site reaction that are severe or don’t go away, let your doctor know. They can review your symptoms and advise on the best way to treat them.
Increased liver enzyme levels
Increased liver enzyme levels were rarely reported with Takhzyro.
Increases in liver enzyme levels don’t typically cause symptoms. Instead, this side effect is usually detected after your doctor orders a liver function test to check the levels of your liver enzymes.
An increase in liver enzyme levels can be a sign of liver problems or damage. However, liver problems or damage was not reported in clinical trials of Takhzyro. The drug isn’t known to cause liver damage. But if you have an existing liver problem, it’s possible that Takhzyro could worsen it.
What you can do
Before you begin treatment with Takhzyro, let your doctor know if you have a liver condition, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). (MASLD was previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.) Having a liver condition typically won’t stop doctors from prescribing Takhzyro. But they may want to monitor your liver function more often during treatment.
Below is important information you should consider before taking Takhzyro.
Other precautions
Before taking Takhzyro, discuss your health history with your doctor. Takhzyro 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:
- liver conditions, such as MASLD
- previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- alcohol consumption
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.