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Immune functionPlasma kallikrein inhibitor

Ecallantide

Also known as: Kalbitor, DX-88

By the Peptide Dossier Editorial TeamUpdated How we source

Ecallantide is a kallikrein inhibitor for acute hereditary angioedema attacks. Its boxed anaphylaxis warning requires administration by a professional equipped to recognize and manage severe allergy.

Quick Facts

Class:Plasma kallikrein inhibitor
Product status:Kalbitor is approved for acute HAE from age 12, with supervised administration because of anaphylaxis risk.
Research context:FDA approved

Kalbitor and acute HAE treatment

Ecallantide is a recombinant 60-amino-acid protein developed as DX-88 and sold as Kalbitor. It inhibits plasma kallikrein in hereditary angioedema and is given by a healthcare professional, not self-injected.

Reducing bradykinin generation

Plasma kallikrein cleaves high-molecular-weight kininogen to release bradykinin, which increases vascular leakage and swelling in HAE. Inhibiting the enzyme acts upstream of a drug that directly blocks the bradykinin receptor. EDEMA3 found significant improvement over placebo in symptom-severity and treatment-outcome scores. Allergy can resemble an HAE attack, making supervised administration important.

Supporting references: scores.

Sources: [1]

Approval and age range

FDA approved Kalbitor in 2009 for acute HAE attacks in people 16 or older; in 2014 the eligible age was lowered to 12 or older. The boxed warning requires a professional setting equipped to manage anaphylaxis. This is acute-attack treatment, not a general home-injection instruction.

Supporting references: Approved.

Sources: [2]

Adverse effects and severe allergy

Headache, nausea, diarrhea, fever, injection-site reactions and nasopharyngitis are common reported effects. Anaphylaxis is the principal serious concern, and its manifestations may be difficult to distinguish from the underlying angioedema attack.

References and further reading

This reference draws on Superpower’s Peptide Library and the research linked below. Peptide Dossier’s editorial team adapted and integrated the material on .

  1. 10.1056/NEJMoa0905079Reducing bradykinin generationCited in: Reducing bradykinin generation
  2. drugs.comApproval and age rangeCited in: Approval and age range

Frequently Asked Questions About Ecallantide

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. The information presented is based on published research and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol. Some peptides discussed may not be approved for human use by the FDA or equivalent regulatory bodies.