Treprostinil Oral Inhalation
Treprostinil oral inhalation is used to treat certain kinds of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; high blood pressure in the vessels carrying blood to the lungs, causing shortness of breath, dizziness, and tiredness). Treprostinil oral inhalation is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD; high blood pressure in the lungs resulting from a lung disease that involves inflammation and scarring of the lungs). Treprostinil may improve the ability to exercise and slow the worsening of symptoms in patients with PAH and PH-ILD. Treprostinil is in a class of medications called vasodilators and platelet-aggregation inhibitors. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, including those in the lungs, and improving blood flow.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Treprostinil oral inhalation comes in ampules that contain a solution (liquid) to inhale by mouth using a special nebulizer (a device that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled) and in cartridges that contain a dry powder to inhale by mouth using a special inhaler. It is usually inhaled four times a day, approximately every 4 hours, during waking hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use treprostinil exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor or nurse will show you how to use treprostinil inhalation solution with your nebulizer or treprostinil inhalation powder with the special inhaler. Your doctor will also tell you how many inhalations you will need for each dose. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for use that comes with the medication. These instructions describe how to prepare and inhale a dose of treprostinil oral inhalation and how to use the nebulizer or inhaler. Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prepare or inhale this medication or how to use or store the nebulizer or inhaler.
Do not swallow treprostinil oral inhalation. If treprostinil solution or powder gets on your skin or in your eyes, rinse your skin or eyes with water right away.
The effects of the medication may not last more than 4 hours. You may need to adjust the timing of your doses to cover your planned activities.
Do not use the nebulizer or inhaler to inhale any other medications.
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Treprostinil solution is used with a specific nebulizer. At the end of each day, dispose of any solution remaining in the nebulizer and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the nebulizer components. Make sure you can get another nebulizer to use right away if your device does not work for any reason. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider what to do if your nebulizer stops working properly.
Treprostinil powder is used with a specific inhaler that can be used for 7 days. After each dose is inhaled, removed the used cartridge from the inhaler and discard the cartridge in a trash can. After 7 days of use, discard the inhaler in a trash can and replace with a new inhaler.
Treprostinil may control the symptoms of PAH and PH-ILD, but does not cure it. Continue to use treprostinil even if you feel well. Do not stop using treprostinil without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop using treprostinil, your symptoms may get worse. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and a copy of the Instructions for Use for the inhaler device.
