Treprostinil (By mouth)

tre-PROS-ti-nil

Treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and may improve ability to exercise in patients with PAH.

Drug classes

Antihypertensive, Cardiovascular Agent, Vasodilator (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Treprostinil is used to treat symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the main artery that carries blood from the right side of the heart (the ventricle) to the lungs. When the small 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 relaxing these blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood to the lungs, which reduces the workload of the heart.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Long Acting Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

Take each dose about 12 hours apart, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If you take the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. However, if you have diverticulosis, the tablet shell may get stuck in your intestine.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Missed dose: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. If you missed 2 or more doses, call your doctor, because your dose may need to be changed.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use other medicines that also contain treprostinil. This includes Remodulin® or Tyvaso®.

Some foods and medicines can affect how treprostinil works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Gemfibrozil Diuretic (water pill) Blood pressure medicine Blood thinner (such as warfarin)

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you have severe liver disease.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, low blood pressure, diverticulosis (a digestion problem), or ulcers.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Higher risk of bleeding problems

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

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

Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Diarrhea, nausea, or stomach discomfort

Headache

Pain in the jaw, arms, or legs

Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

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

Orenitram

There may be other brand names for this medicine.