Epoprostenol (Systemic)

Brand Names : Flolan, Prostacyclin, PGI 2, PGX

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For epoprostenol, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Epoprostenol has not been studied in pregnant women and, although epoprostenol has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals, it is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether epoprostenol passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of epoprostenol in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is important that your health care professional know if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of epoprostenol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart disease or
• Lung disease - Epoprostenol may make these conditions worse