Treprostinil (By breathing)
tre-PROS-ti-nil
Treats a condition where your blood pressure is too high in the blood vessels between your heart and your lungs.
Drug classes
Vasodilator (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Treprostinil inhalation is used to treat the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is the high blood pressure that occurs in the main artery that carries blood from the right side of the heart (the ventricle) to the lungs. When the smaller blood vessels in the lungs become more resistant to blood flow, the right ventricle must work harder to pump enough blood through the lungs. Treprostinil works by blocking a hormone (a naturally occurring substance), that is found in the blood and lungs in large quantities of the people with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Treprostinil helps by increasing the supply of blood to the lungs and reducing the workload of the heart.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
This medicine is for use only in your lungs. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away. Do not take this medicine orally.
The drug should only be inhaled using Tyvaso® Inhalation system, a special lung drug delivery device.
Do not change your doses or stop using your medicine without asking your doctor.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using gemfibrozil (Lopid®), rifampicin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, Inderal®, Lopressor®, Toprol®, or Tenormin®), diuretics or water pill (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], or Lasix®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to treprostinil.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease or breathing problems (such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), lung infection, or bleeding problems.
This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. You should stand up slowly when you get out of a chair or bed. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. You may also check your blood pressure regularly at home.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Cough or sore throat.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Shortness of breath or trouble with breathing.
Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Tyvaso
There may be other brand names for this medicine.