Veletri

Generic name: Epoprostenol
Drug class: Agents for pulmonary hypertension

Usage of Veletri

Veletri 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.

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

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

Veletri 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.

Veletri 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 Veletri 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 Veletri

You should not use Veletri 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 Veletri.

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 Veletri

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. You may need to use Veletri for many years.

You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects. Your blood pressure and heart rate may also need to be monitored whenever your dose is changed.

Veletri is injected with an infusion pump, usually through a permanent central intravenous (IV) catheter placed into a large vein such as in your chest. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine, which may be different for different brands of epoprostenol. Do not use Veletri if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

You should not stop using Veletri suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

To make sure there is no interruption in your treatment, you may need to have a back-up infusion pump, replacement batteries, and extra IV infusion sets. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store Veletri powder in its original package at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

After mixing your medicine, you will need to use it within a certain number of hours or days. This will Depend on the concentration of the mixture, the diluent used, and whether you store the mixture at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Carefully follow the mixing and storage instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions.

Protect the mixed medicine from light at all times, whether it is in storage or in use.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Warnings

You should not use Veletri 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 Veletri

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 Veletri, 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.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.