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New Prescription Medications
Aside from Tracleer, several other new prescription drugs have been designed for treatment of PH. Flolan
Epoprostenol (brand name Flolan®) is a prostacyclin analogue that helps open up constricted lung blood vessels, thereby reducing the high blood pressure in the lungs. Flolan imitates the natural prostacyclin produced by the body to keep blood vessels healthy by removing the buildup of lipids to lower blood pressure. This medication is delivered by a constant intravenous infusion. Flolan is a lifetime therapy that requires uninterrupted infusion because of its short duration of effect. Since the drug lasts only 3-5 minutes it must be slowly and continuously pumped into the body through the permanent catheter placed in a vein in the neck or chest. Because of the complexity involved in administering Flolan, patients use special health care services to learn about the treatment. Companies that distribute Flolan offer home health care services including infusion and nursing. Remodulin
Treprostinil (brand name Remodulin™) is also a prostacyclin analogue used to open constricted blood vessels. It is administered through a continuous subcutaneous (under the skin) infusion. Remodulin is apparently significantly longer lived in the human body than Flolan, reducing the need for constant infusion. Because of its long life in the body, it can be administered under the skin rather than into the bloodstream. The biggest benefit of UT-15 is this delivery method, which lowers the risk of sepsis infection and related hospitalization associated with the Flolan catheter. Beraprost
Beraprost is an oral formulation of prostacyclin, for the treatment of early-stage pulmonary hypertension (PH) as well as early-stage peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Like natural prostacyclin, Beraprost dilates blood vessels, prevents platelet aggregation and prevents proliferation of smooth muscle cells surrounding blood vessels. Beraprost has been approved for treatment of PVD in Japan since 1994 and is currently undergoing clinical testing for treatment of PH in the United States. Ilioprost
Ilioprost is used as an inhalable form of prostacyclin treatment. Ilioprost dilates the pulmonary blood vessels by coating itself on the alveoli of the lungs to relieve pulmonary vascular resistance. The advantage of inhalation is that the drug is introduced only to the lungs, so that side effects that might affect the rest of the body are avoided. Patients inhale 6-8 puffs every 2-3 hours. This therapy is used mainly in Europe.
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