Treprostinil (Injection)

Introduction:

Treprostinil (tre-PROST-i-nil)

Treats breathing problems and other symptoms caused by exercise in people who have pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.
• This medicine will be pumped through the needle by a device called an infusion pump. A nurse or other trained health professional will start your infusion of this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine and care for your infusion pump at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an infusion. Do not use more medicine than your doctor tells you to.
• If you are receiving your medicine under your skin, you will be shown the body areas where this infusion can be given. Use a different body area each time you start an infusion. Keep track of where you give each infusion to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• You will need to continue using this medicine over a long period of time, possibly for many years. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.

If a dose is missed:

• If your must stop your infusion, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions first.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• The medicine comes in a vial. After you open the vial, the medicine will keep for up to 30 days. You will use a syringe to take some medicine out of the vial and insert it into the pump. The medicine can be kept in the syringe up to 72 hours.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Throw away any medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or medicine to treat circulation problems.
• Tell your doctor if you use a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), indapamide, metolazone, spironolactone, torsemide, triamterene, Aldactone®, Demadex®, Lasix®, Lozol®, Maxzide®, or Zaroxolyn®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure medicines are atenolol, lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Ask your doctor who to call if you have any problems with the infusion pump that you cannot fix. You may be given a second infusion pump and supplies for using this medicine, in case the first pump stops working. Make sure you have access to this pump as a backup at all times.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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.
• Extreme warmth or redness in the face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
• Increased trouble breathing.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Severe redness, pain, rash, swelling, or a hard lump where the needle is placed.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

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

• Anxiety or restlessness.
• Jaw pain or headache.
• Mild nausea or diarrhea.
• Mild skin itching.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: