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|Ventavis

Ventavis

Ventavis is used for:

Treating high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Ventavis is a form of prostacyclin. It is similar to a chemical in the body that widens (dilates) blood vessels, such as those in the arteries or lungs. Widening the blood vessels decreases high blood pressure.

Do NOT use Ventavis if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ventavis
• you have certain lung problems (eg, chronic respiratory acidosis)

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

Before using Ventavis :

Some medical conditions may interact with Ventavis . 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 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma, or a lung infection
• if you have liver or kidney problems, low blood pressure, or certain types of rectal bleeding

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

• Mecamylamine, stimulant-type medicines (eg, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine), some blood pressure medicines, or warfarin because side effects may be increased
• Lithium or tetracycline antibiotics (eg, doxycycline) because the effectiveness may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ventavis 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 Ventavis :

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

• Ventavis comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully.
• Ventavis is to be breathed into your lungs. Do not allow Ventavis solution to come into contact with your skin or eyes. Wash thoroughly with water if you do get Ventavis on your skin or in your eyes.
• Do not swallow Ventavis .
• Use Ventavis with either the Prodose AAD System or the I-neb ADD System. Carefully follow your doctor"s instructions for dispensing the medicine and operating and cleaning the equipment. Do not put other medicines into this equipment.
• Do not take a dose of Ventavis within 2 hours of your last dose. However, the benefits of Ventavis may not last 2 hours.
• After each inhalation session, any solution left in the medicine chamber should be discarded.
• If you miss a dose of Ventavis , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

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

Important safety information:

• Ventavis may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Ventavis . Using Ventavis alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• You may have a fall in blood pressure while using Ventavis and you may become dizzy or faint. Stand up slowly from a seated or lying position in a chair or bed. If fainting gets worse, contact your doctor. Your doctor may need to change your dose.
• Ventavis may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or injury may occur. Report any unusual bleeding, bruising, blood in stools, or dark, tarry stools to your doctor.
• LAB TESTS, including vital signs, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Ventavis with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Ventavis is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ventavis during pregnancy. It is unknown if Ventavis is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ventavis . If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are taking Ventavis , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Ventavis :

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:

Back pain; cough; dizziness; flu-like symptoms; flushing; headache; increased cough; muscle cramps; nausea; sleeplessness; tongue pain; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; coughing up blood; decreased urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; flu-like symptoms; lock jaw; pneumonia; pounding in the chest; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms or legs; unusual sweating.

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 chest pain; diarrhea; fainting; flushing; headache; nausea; vomiting.

Store Ventavis at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Ventavis out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Ventavis , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Ventavis 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 Ventavis . 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.