Iloprost inhalation

Generic name: Iloprost Inhalation
Brand names: Ventavis
Dosage form: inhalation solution (10 mcg/mL; 20 mcg/mL)
Drug class: Agents for pulmonary hypertension

Usage of Iloprost inhalation

Iloprost inhalation is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults. iloprost inhalation can temporarily improve your symptoms and may improve your ability to exercise.

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

Iloprost inhalation side effects

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

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

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

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

pain or tightness in your jaw;

unusual bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

pneumonia--fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath; or

fluid build-up in or around the lungs--pain when you breathe, feeling short of breath while lying down, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, cold and clammy skin, anxiety, rapid heartbeats.

Common side effects of iloprost inhalation may include:

pneumonia, increased cough, coughing up blood;

pounding heartbeats;

low blood pressure, feeling light-headed;

flu symptoms;

flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

headache;

abnormal liver function tests;

nausea, vomiting;

muscle cramps, back pain;

tongue pain, jaw tightness or pain, trouble chewing or speaking; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

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 Iloprost inhalation

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

kidney disease;

low blood pressure;

asthma; or

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Do not start or stop taking iloprost inhalation during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having PAH during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother such as heart failure, stroke, or death. Having PAH during pregnancy can also cause complications in the baby such as premature birth, low birthweight, miscarriage, or stillbirth. The benefit of treating PAH may outweigh any risks to the mother or baby.

You should not breastfeed while using iloprost.

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How to use Iloprost inhalation

Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Hypertension:

Initial dose: 2.5 mcg inhaled orally once; if tolerated, increase to 5 mcg and maintain this doseMaintenance dose: 2.5 or 5 mcg inhaled orally 6 to 9 times per day, no more than once every 2 hours while awake, based on individual need and tolerabilityMaximum dose: 45 mcg/day (5 mcg/dose 9 times per day)Comment: Avoid initiation of therapy in patients with systolic blood pressure below 85 mmHg.Use: For the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve a composite endpoint consisting of exercise tolerance, symptoms (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Class), and lack of deterioration. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominately patients with NYHA Functional Class III-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (65%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (23%)

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Iloprost inhalation

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

blood pressure medication;

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

medication used to prevent blood clots, such as clopidogrel, rivaroxaban, Plavix, Xarelto, and others.

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

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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