Uptravi

Uptravi is a prescription medication used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is high blood pressure in the arteries that connect the heart to the lungs. 

It belongs to a group of drugs called IP prostacyclin receptor agonists. These work to relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, and therefore, open the blood vessels and decrease the elevated pressure in the vessels supplying blood to the lungs.

This medication is available in tablet form and is taken twice daily.

Common side effects of Uptravi include headache, diarrhea, and jaw pain. 

Uptravi is a prescription medication used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is high blood pressure in the arteries that connect the heart to the lungs. Uptravi is used to delay disease progression and reduce the risk of hospitalization for PAH. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Uptravi.  See "Uptravi Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• diarrhea
• jaw pain
• nausea
• muscle pain (myalgia)
• vomiting
• pain in an extremity (arms or legs)
• joint pain
• low red blood cell count
• decreased appetite 
• flushing
• rash

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Uptravi. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA­-1088. 

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take medications that block the enzyme CYP2C8 such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), fluvoxamine (Luvox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)

This is not a complete list of Uptravi drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Uptravi including the following:

Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease (PVOD). Uptravi can cause a condition where you have abnormal fluid buildup in your lungs. If this condition develops, you may need to discontinue Uptravi. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:

• coughing up blood
• you have a hard time breathing when lying flat
• gurgling or wheezing sounds when breathing
• shortness of breath
• fainting

Do not take Uptravi if you are allergic to Uptravi or to any of its ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Uptravi, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Uptravi, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Uptravi or to any of its ingredients
• have liver problems
• have any other medical conditions 
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• have a condition called pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (narrowing of the pulmonary veins in your lungs)

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

There have been no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Uptravi. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given Uptravi, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication. It is not known if Uptravi will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits of taking Uptravi while pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Uptravi crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, it is recommended to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Discuss the risks and benefits of each option with your doctor.

Take Uptravi exactly as prescribed. 

Do not stop taking Uptravi unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop. 

Your healthcare provider will slowly increase your dose to find the dose of Uptravi that is right for you. 

If you have side effects, your healthcare provider may change your dose. 

Uptravi comes in tablet form and is typically taken twice daily.

Uptravi can be taken with or without food. This medication may be tolerated better if it is taken with food.

Do not split, crush, or chew Uptravi tablets. Swallow whole.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.

• If your next scheduled dose is due within 6 hours, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.  Do not take two doses of Uptravi at the same time.
• If you miss 3 or more days of Uptravi, call your healthcare provider to see if your dose needs to be changed. Your medication may need to be restarted at a lower dose determined by your doctor.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on how you respond to this medication and other medical conditions you may have, including problems with your liver.

The recommended starting dose of Uptravi is 200 mcg twice daily. This dose may be increased by your doctor, usually once a week, to a dose up to the maximum of 1600 mcg twice daily. If you do not tolerate a higher dose due to side effects, your doctor may reduce your dose.

If you take too much Uptravi, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Uptravi is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store Uptravi tablets at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.