Treprostinil Sodium, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihypertensive

Generic and brand names: treprostinil sodium, injection; Remodulin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection through an indwelling catheter (a special type of needle) inserted into a large central vein. It is given to treat pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure in the lungs). This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to epoprostenol (Flolan), treprostinil (Remodulin), or bosentan (Tracleer)
• heart disease
• kidney or liver disease
• lung disease.

Tell your health care provider if you are having dialysis treatments.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

The dose of medicine you take may be increased gradually by your health care provider. Keep all appointments. Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval. You will probably need this medicine for a long time (maybe years).

The catheter remains in your vein for a long time. A small, portable pump that you carry with you is attached to the catheter by a tube to deliver constant measured doses of the medicine. This allows you to follow a more normal life while receiving this medicine day and night. It is important that you learn how to take care of the catheter and keep it sterile. You should also make sure that you understand how to use the pump.

You should have 2 working pumps at all times to make sure your treatment is not interrupted. Usually pumps are replaced every 6 months.

If you do not understand how you should prepare or use this medicine, ask your health care provider or pharmacist to explain.

What should I watch out for?

Do not mix this medicine with any other medicine for injection.

Do not suddenly stop the infusion because your condition may then worsen and cause shortness of breath, dizziness, or weakness. Talk to your health care provider about this.

This medicine lowers blood pressure. Taking other blood pressure medicines along with this one may lower your blood pressure too much. Be sure you tell your health care provider about all other medicines you take.

Saunas, hot baths, or sunbathing may cause blood vessels to dilate and lower your blood pressure too far. Talk with your health care provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Uneven or rapid heartbeat, rash, inflammation, or pain at the spot where the needle is inserted, chest pains, swelling or fever.

Other: Flushing, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, feeling faint, itching, low blood pressure, jaw pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, and enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox)
• blood pressure medicines such as prazosin (Minipress), doxazosin (Cardura), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol (Visken), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol (Blocadren), sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg).
• diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix), bumetanide (Bumex), spironolactone (Aldactone), and torsemide (Demadex)

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store unopened vials of this medicine at room temperature. Keep the containers tightly closed. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.