Epoprostenol

Generic name: Epoprostenol
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (0.5 mg; 1.5 mg)
Drug class: Agents for pulmonary hypertension

Usage of Epoprostenol

Epoprostenol is a prostaglandin (a hormone-like substance that occurs naturally in the body). Prostaglandins help to control functions in the body such as blood pressure and muscle contractions.

Epoprostenol is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and improve your ability to exercise.

Epoprostenol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Epoprostenol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Epoprostenol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

shortness of breath with dizziness or weakness;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or

symptoms of pulmonary edema--anxiety, sweating, pale skin, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate.

Common side effects of epoprostenol may include:

flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

dizziness;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;

trouble breathing;

headache, jaw pain;

fast or slow heartbeats;

joint or muscle pain;

flu-like symptoms; or

feeling anxious or nervous.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Epoprostenol

You should not use epoprostenol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema); or

congestive heart failure caused by a decrease in your heart's ability to pump blood back into the body.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had breathing problems while using epoprostenol.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Relate drugs

How to use Epoprostenol

Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Hypertension:

Initial dose: 2 ng/kg/min via continuous IV infusion and titrate up in increments of 2 ng/kg/min every 15 minutes or longer until a tolerance limit is established or further increases in infusion rate not clinically warrantedComments:-If the initial infusion rate is not tolerated, a lower dose may be used.-If dose-limiting pharmacologic effects occur, decrease infusion rate until this drug is tolerated.Use: For the treatment of PAH (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise capacity; studies establishing efficacy included predominately patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III to IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH or PAH associated connective tissue disorders

Warnings

You should not use epoprostenol if you have fluid in your lungs, or heart failure caused by a decrease in your heart's ability to pump blood back into the body.

What other drugs will affect Epoprostenol

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

a diuretic or "water pill";

blood pressure medications; or

a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect epoprostenol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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