The present invention relates to the use of a C1 inhibitor (C1INH) with shorter half-life than plasma-derived C1INH for the preparation of a medicament for the transient treatment of an individual. It relates to both therapeutic and prophylactic treatment. The method of the invention allows for the administration of C1INH at certain therapeutic levels for a concise pre-determined time span. Pharmaceutical compositions based on C1INH with shorter half-lives may be used both in situations where transient treatment is merely and advantage. The advantage of the use according to the invention is that an individual is not exposed to C1INH for longer than required, since the levels of the C1INH more rapidly subsides after administration has stopped. In contrast, levels of plasma-derived C1INH would remain elevated for a prolonged period of time.
