5 mins read

Overview: Ekterly is used to treat sudden attacks of a rare inherited condition called hereditary angioedema (HAE). The most common side effect is a headache. Before using Ekterly, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is Ekterly used for?

Ekterly (sebetralstat) is commonly used to treat sudden hereditary angioedema attacks. Hereditary angioedema is a rare inherited condition that causes swelling in certain areas of your body, including under the skin and lining of the gut and lungs.

Learn more about Ekterly for hereditary angioedema.

Ekterly may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Ekterly work (mechanism of action)?

People with hereditary angioedema have too much of a substance called kallikrein. When there is too much kallikrein in the body, it can cause fluid to build up where it should not. Ekterly blocks kallikrein from working, which reduces the amount of fluid that builds up in the body. It also seems to keep your body from making more kallikrein and other substances. Together, these can help treat swelling attacks in people with this condition.

How is Ekterly supplied (dosage forms)?

Ekterly is available in a 300 mg oral tablet that is taken by mouth.

How should I store Ekterly?

Ekterly should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not remove tablets from blister packs until ready to take.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Ekterly?

The most common side effect of Ekterly is headache. Tell your health care provider if you have a headache that bothers you.

There may be other side effects of Ekterly that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Ekterly?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Ekterly are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ekterly may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Ekterly and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Ekterly?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Ekterly.

  • Ekterly
  • Sebetralstat
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Ekterly.

What should I know about Ekterly before using it?

Do not take Ekterly unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Make sure that you understand when to take a dose and what to do if you do not feel better, your symptoms worsen, or your symptoms come back.

Ekterly is a medicine used as needed to treat swelling attacks. You may be prescribed a different medicine by your health care provider to help prevent attacks. Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions.

Do not share Ekterly with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Ekterly out of the reach of children.

Taking other medicines with Ekterly can cause side effects or affect how well Ekterly or the other medicines work. Tell your health care provider if you start or stop any other medicine.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Ekterly?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Ekterly is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Liver Problems. You may need a different dose or it may not be safe for you to take Ekterly if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ekterly may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using/taking Ekterly, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Ekterly could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Ekterly passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Ekterly while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Ekterly?

For more information about Ekterly, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.ekterly.com or call them at 844-432-3322.

Interactions

Does Ekterly interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Ekterly and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Ekterly.

Does Ekterly interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Ekterly.

  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Efavirenz, which is a medicine used to treat HIV
  • Verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Ekterly, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Ekterly. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Ekterly?

If you or someone else has used too much Ekterly, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Ekterly?

Ekterly is meant to be used only when needed. Use it as your health care provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.

Look up another drug