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|Epoprostenol

Epoprostenol

Epoprostenol is used for:

Treating high blood pressure in the blood vessels associated with the lungs. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Epoprostenol is a prostaglandin. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing blood to the lungs, which reduces the workload on the heart.

Do NOT use Epoprostenol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Epoprostenol
• you have severe left-sided congestive heart failure

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Epoprostenol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Epoprostenol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have previously taken Epoprostenol and developed fluid in the lungs

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Epoprostenol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antihypertensives (eg, verapamil, hydralazine) or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because additional reductions in blood pressure may occur
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or antiplatelet medicines (eg, aspirin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased by Epoprostenol
• Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Epoprostenol .

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Epoprostenol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Epoprostenol :

Use Epoprostenol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Epoprostenol is administered continuously through a permanent indwelling catheter (intravenous [IV] line) using an IV infusion pump. If you are using Epoprostenol at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Epoprostenol or giving infusions.
• Epoprostenol should be mixed only with the sterile solution it is supplied with. The mixed medicine should not be mixed with other solutions or medicines.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Epoprostenol , contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Epoprostenol .

Important safety information:

• Epoprostenol may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Epoprostenol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Epoprostenol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Epoprostenol while you are pregnant. It is not known if Epoprostenol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Epoprostenol , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

If you suddenly stop taking Epoprostenol , you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including difficulty breathing, dizziness, and weakness.

Possible side effects of Epoprostenol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal skin sensations; agitation; anxiety; back pain; bleeding, pain, redness, or swelling at injection site; diarrhea; dizziness; flushing; headache; muscle or jaw pain; nausea; stomach pain; stomach upset; sweating; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; irregular heartbeat; swelling in the abdomen; unusual or increased bruising; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; fainting; flushing; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; rapid heart rate; vomiting.

Epoprostenol is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Epoprostenol at home, store Epoprostenol as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Epoprostenol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Epoprostenol , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Epoprostenol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Epoprostenol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.