(EYE loe prost)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (World Health Organization [WHO] group I) in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV symptoms to improve exercise tolerance, symptoms, and diminish clinical deterioration.
There are no contraindications listed in the manufacturers labeling.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Inhalation: Initial: 2.5 mcg/dose; if tolerated, increase to 5 mcg/dose. Administer 6-9 times daily (dosing at intervals ≥2 hours while awake according to individual need and tolerability). Maintenance dose: 2.5-5 mcg/dose; maximum daily dose: 45 mcg (ie, 5 mcg/dose 9 times daily)
Refer to adult dosing.
Inhaled iloprost has not been studied in renal impairment; however, according to the manufacturer, no adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment who are not on dialysis (the effect of dialysis on iloprost is unknown).
Child-Pugh class B or C: Consider increasing dosing interval (eg, every 3-4 hours) based on response at the end of the dose interval.
Immediate access to medication and a back-up inhalation device is essential to prevent treatment interruptions. Do not mix with other medications. For inhalation only via the I-neb AAD System. Refer to the I-neb AAD System instructions for adding ampul contents to the medication chamber. The 20 mcg/mL concentration is intended for patients who are maintained at the 5 mcg dose and who have repeatedly experienced extended treatment times. After use, discard remainder of the medicine; not for reuse.
Store at 20 ‚ °C to 25 ‚ °C (68 ‚ °F to 77 ‚ °F); excursions permitted to 15 ‚ °C to 30 ‚ °C (58 ‚ °F to 86 ‚ °F).
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution, Inhalation [preservative free]:
Ventavis: 10 mcg/mL (1 mL); 20 mcg/mL (1 mL) [contains alcohol, usp, tromethamine]
Agents with Antiplatelet Properties (e.g., P2Y12 inhibitors, NSAIDs, SSRIs, etc.): Prostacyclin Analogues may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Agents with Antiplatelet Properties. Monitor therapy
Alfuzosin: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Amifostine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Amifostine. Management: When amifostine is used at chemotherapy doses, blood pressure lowering medications should be withheld for 24 hours prior to amifostine administration. If blood pressure lowering therapy cannot be withheld, amifostine should not be administered. Consider therapy modification
Anticoagulants: Prostacyclin Analogues may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Anticoagulants. Specifically, the antiplatelet effects of these agents may lead to an increased risk of bleeding with the combination. Monitor therapy
Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]): Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]). Monitor therapy
Barbiturates: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Blood Pressure Lowering Agents: Prostacyclin Analogues may enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Blood Pressure Lowering Agents: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Hypotension-Associated Agents. Monitor therapy
Brimonidine (Topical): May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Diazoxide: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
DULoxetine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of DULoxetine. Monitor therapy
Herbs (Hypotensive Properties): May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Hypotension-Associated Agents: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Hypotension-Associated Agents. Monitor therapy
Levodopa: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Levodopa. Monitor therapy
Molsidomine: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Naftopidil: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Nicergoline: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Nicorandil: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Nitroprusside: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Nitroprusside. Monitor therapy
Obinutuzumab: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Management: Consider temporarily withholding blood pressure lowering medications beginning 12 hours prior to obinutuzumab infusion and continuing until 1 hour after the end of the infusion. Consider therapy modification
Pentoxifylline: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Prostacyclin Analogues: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Quinagolide: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy
Thrombolytic Agents: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Prostacyclin Analogues. Specifically, the antiplatelet effects of prostacyclin analogues may lead to an increased risk of bleeding when combined with thrombolytic agents. Monitor therapy
With initiation and dosage adjustments, monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate at baseline. Monitor for improvements in pulmonary function, improved exercise tolerance, and NYHA Class improvement.
>10%:
Cardiovascular: Flushing (27%), hypotension (11%)
Central nervous system: Headache (30%), trismus (12%)
Gastrointestinal: Nausea (13%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Jaw pain (12%)
Respiratory: Cough (39%), flu-like symptoms (14%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Syncope (8%), palpitations (7%)
Central nervous system: Insomnia (8%)
Endocrine & metabolic: Increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (6%)
Gastrointestinal: Vomiting (7%), glossalgia (4%)
Hepatic: Increased serum alkaline phosphatase (6%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Back pain (7%), muscle cramps (6%)
Respiratory: Hemoptysis (5%), pneumonia (4%)
<1% (Limited to important or life-threatening): Bronchospasm, cardiac failure, dyspnea, epistaxis, hypersensitivity reaction, paradoxical reaction (increased post-void residual urine volume), renal failure, supraventricular tachycardia, thrombocytopenia
Inhaled iloprost has not been evaluated in subjects with impaired renal function. In a study with IV infusion of iloprost in patients with ESRD requiring intermittent dialysis treatment, the mean AUC0-4h was 230 pg -h/mL compared with 54 pg -h/mL in patients with renal failure not requiring intermittent dialysis, and 48 pg -h/mL in healthy patients. The half-life was similar in both groups.
Inhaled iloprost has not been evaluated in subjects with impaired hepatic function. In an IV iloprost study in patients with liver cirrhosis, the mean Cl in Child-Pugh class B subjects was approximately 10 mL/min/kg(half that of healthy patients). Following oral administration, the mean AUC0-8h in Child-Pugh class B patients was 1,725 pg -h/mL compared with 117 pg -h/mL in healthy subjects receiving the same oral iloprost dose. In Child-Pugh class A subjects, the mean AUC0-8h was 639 pg -h/mL. Although exposure increased with hepatic impairment, there was no effect on half-life.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Pulmonary edema: If pulmonary edema occurs during administration, discontinue therapy immediately; may be a sign of pulmonary venous hypertension.
- Rebound pulmonary hypertension: Abrupt withdrawal/large dosage reductions may worsen symptoms of PAH. Immediate access to medication and back-up inhalation device is essential to prevent treatment interruptions.
- Syncope: Hypotension leading to syncope has been observed. Dosage or therapy adjustment may be required if exertional syncope occurs. Use caution with concurrent conditions or medications that may increase risk of syncope.
Disease-related concerns:
- Bleeding disorders: Use with caution in patients with active bleeding or at increased risk of bleeding (eg, concomitant anticoagulation); mild inhibitor of platelet aggregation when administered as an aerosol.
- Hypotension: Do not use in patients with hypotension (systolic BP <85 mm Hg).
- Respiratory disease: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with other concurrent pulmonary diseases (eg, COPD, severe asthma, or acute pulmonary infections); may induce bronchospasm in patients with hyper-reactive airways.
Other warnings/precautions:
- Administration: Intended for inhalation administration using only the I-neb AAD System. Solution should not come in contact with skin or eyes. Monitor vital signs during initiation.
C
Adverse events were observed in some animal reproduction studies. Pregnancy should be avoided in women with pulmonary hypertension (Badesch, 2007; McLaughlin, 2009).
Acutely, iloprost dilates systemic and pulmonary arterial vascular beds. With longer-term use, alters pulmonary vascular resistance and suppresses vascular smooth muscle proliferation. In addition, it is a mild endogenous inhibitor of platelet aggregation when aerosolized (Beghetti, 2002).
Vd: 0.7-0.8 L/kg
Hepatic via beta oxidation of the carboxyl side chain; main metabolite, tetranor-iloprost (inactive in animal studies)
Urine (68% as metabolite); feces (12%)
Serum: Within 5 minutes after inhalation
30-60 minutes
20-30 minutes (effect), 7-9 minutes (elimination)
~60%, primarily to albumin
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience back pain, cough, headache, jaw tightness, flushing, cramps, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, or flu-like symptoms. Have patient report immediately to prescriber severe dizziness, passing out, bruising, bleeding, angina, tachycardia, coughing up blood, urinary retention, change in amount of urine passed, arrhythmia, jaw pain, shortness of breath, excessive weight gain, swelling in arms or legs, or difficulty opening mouth (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.