Treprostinil (Systemic)

Brand Names : Remodulin

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 treprostinil, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to treprostinil. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as, [foods, preservatives, or dyes].

Pregnancy - Treprostinil has not been studied in pregnant women and, although treprostinil has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals, it is only recommended for use in pregnant women when 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 treprostinil 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 - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of treprostinil in children with other age groups.

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 treprostinil 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. When you are taking treprostinil, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners such as warfarin [Coumadin]) - Use with treprostinil may increase the risk of bleeding

• Antihypertensives (medicine for high blood pressure), or
• Diuretics (water pills), or
• Vasodilators (e.g., Hydralazine [Apresoline]) - Effects on blood pressure may be increased

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

• Liver disease - Treprostinil effects may increase because of slower removal of medicine from the body