treprostinil sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Prostacyclin analogue and pulmonary vasodilator.
Licensed use
Idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension with NYHA functional class III symptoms.
Administration
Continuous subcutaneous or intravenous infusion through a portable pump.
Important safety point
Sudden interruption can cause rapid worsening of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
What is treprostinil sodium used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults with NYHA functional class III symptoms, to improve symptoms and exercise tolerance.
How does treprostinil sodium work?
Treprostinil acts like prostacyclin. It relaxes arteries in the lungs and elsewhere, helping blood flow through the pulmonary circulation and reducing the pressure against which the heart pumps. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, which contributes to bleeding risk.
treprostinil sodium preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 1 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL
How to take treprostinil sodium
Treatment is started and monitored by a pulmonary-hypertension specialist. It is delivered continuously through a programmed portable pump; patients and carers must be trained in pump operation, aseptic technique and emergency procedures.
Subcutaneous infusion is given undiluted and is the preferred route for the selected product.
Intravenous infusion is reserved for appropriate patients and requires careful catheter-infection prevention.
For intravenous use, dilute only with sterile water for injection or sodium chloride solution as instructed by the clinical team.
Keep backup pump equipment available as directed by the specialist service.
Never flush an infusion line while it remains connected to the patient because this may cause an overdose.
treprostinil sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Infusion-site pain, tenderness, bruising or other local reactions
- Headache and flushing
- Nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting
- Jaw pain
- Dizziness or low blood pressure
- Rash or itching
- Muscle, joint or limb pain
- Swelling or fluid retention
- Bleeding, such as nosebleeds or gum bleeding
Get urgent medical advice
- Bloodstream infection or sepsis associated with an intravenous catheter
- Severe or persistent bleeding
- Marked low blood pressure with fainting
- Rapid worsening breathlessness or possible pulmonary oedema
- Infusion-site abscess, cellulitis or spreading infection
- Symptoms of high-output heart failure, including worsening breathlessness, persistent cough or increasing swelling
treprostinil sodium in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are inadequate and the potential fetal risk is unknown. Treprostinil should be used during pregnancy only when the expected maternal benefit justifies the potential risk. Specialist pulmonary-hypertension and obstetric review is essential. Contraception is recommended during treatment, and the infusion should not be stopped without specialist advice.
treprostinil sodium while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether treprostinil enters human milk. The selected product advises discontinuing breastfeeding during treatment; discuss feeding options with the specialist team.
treprostinil sodium interactions
Review all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products because treprostinil can affect blood pressure, bleeding and medicine exposure.
Antihypertensives, diuretics and other vasodilators
Combined use may increase systemic hypotension and associated dizziness or fainting.
Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, NSAIDs and nitric oxide donors
Combined effects on platelet function may increase bleeding risk and require closer surveillance.
Gemfibrozil, trimethoprim and deferasirox
These CYP2C8 inhibitors may increase treprostinil exposure and adverse effects, requiring specialist review.
Common questions about treprostinil sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is treprostinil sodium used for?
The selected UK product treats idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension with NYHA functional class III symptoms, aiming to improve symptoms and exercise tolerance.
Is treprostinil sodium a prostacyclin?
It is a prostacyclin analogue: it mimics important prostacyclin effects, including arterial relaxation and inhibition of platelet aggregation.
How is treprostinil sodium given?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.