Your doctor may have told you to use a dry powder inhaler (DPI) to treat high blood pressure in your lungs. You may also have a medication called Treprostinil in your hand. Since this is a somewhat special medication, let's learn more about it, right? Today, we'll talk about this medication, how to use it, and what to be careful about.
What actually happens with this medicine?
This medicine is used to treat a condition called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Imagine that the blood vessels that carry blood from our heart to our lungs are blocked. Then the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. This is what we call PAH.
Simply put, when you use this inhaler, the medicine goes through your respiratory system and relaxes the blood vessels in your lungs. This reduces the pressure inside those vessels. This allows your heart to pump blood with less effort. As a result, you can breathe easier and be more active.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor inform you of some information about your health condition before starting this medication.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have liver disease | The liver is where the medicine is removed from the body. If you have a liver problem, your dose may need to be adjusted. |
| If you have low blood pressure | This medication can also lower blood pressure, so if you already have low blood pressure, you should be careful about it. |
| If you have other respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD | This medicine can sometimes cause further airway obstruction (wheezing). Therefore, if you have any of these conditions, you should tell your doctor. |
| If you have allergies to anything | Please tell us if you have any allergies to this medicine, other medications, foods, or dyes. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | Talk to your doctor about the effects of this medication during pregnancy. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Talk to your doctor to make sure the medicine passes to your baby through breast milk. |
How do you use this inhaler correctly?
This is a medicine that you take by mouth. You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you, at the right time, and in the right amount. It is usually taken every 4 hours. Never take it more than the prescribed amount. Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop.
Very important: This medicine should only be used with the special inhaler (Tyvaso DPI Inhaler) that comes with it. Also, you should throw away the old inhaler and start using a new one every 7 days.
The INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE that comes with the medicine clearly explains how to use it. Read it carefully. If you don't understand, ask your doctor for more information.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, less than 2 hours away), skip the missed dose and take the next dose on time. Never take two doses at the same time.
What if I take too much medicine?
Imagine that you have accidentally taken too much medicine. If this happens, do not panic, but immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. The centre will provide you with the necessary advice. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to be careful about when taking this medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel a little drowsy and dizzy. So, do not do anything that requires a lot of attention, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know exactly how this affects you.
- Don't get up suddenly: Especially if you are older, don't get up suddenly from a sitting position or get out of bed. Doing so can cause dizziness and you may fall. So get up slowly.
- Bleeding risk: This may slightly increase the risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor if you bruise or bleed easily.
- Other medications: Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal remedies (such as kashaya, aristha). Some medications can interact with this medication. This is especially true with other medications for high blood pressure, such as Gemfibrozil and Rifampin .
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Side effect | Symptoms you see |
|---|---|
| Serious symptoms that need to be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Vomiting blood (like coffee grounds), stools turning black or tarry, urine turning red/dark brown, small red/purple spots appearing on the body, and bruising for no reason. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blue eyes, and loss of consciousness. |
| Difficulty breathing | Wheezing, difficulty breathing. |
| Usually nothing to worry about, but if it persists, here are some things to say: | |
| Cough, sore throat and runny nose | A common condition caused by inhaling medicine. |
| Headache, nausea, stomach upset | These are common in the early stages. |
| Redness of the face | As the blood vessels dilate, blood flow to the face increases, causing a red appearance. |
How to store medicine and inhaler?
This is also something you need to know for sure.
- Unopened blister cards: Keep these in the refrigerator. But never in the freezer. Take them out of the refrigerator 10 minutes before using them.
- If stored at room temperature: Unopened packets can be stored at room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius) for up to 5 weeks.
- Opened blister strips: These should be used within 3 days of opening. Do not put opened strips back in the refrigerator.
- Inhaler: This can be kept in the fridge or at room temperature. Be sure to throw it away and get a new one after 7 days of use.
When throwing expired or no longer needed medicine into the trash, mix the medicine with something like coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and seal it well in a bag or container before discarding it.
Take-Home Message
- Use this medicine exactly as your doctor has instructed, at the right time and in the right amount.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking.
- If serious side effects occur (allergies, bleeding, severe dizziness), seek medical advice immediately.
- Store your medicine and inhaler correctly. Don't forget to change your inhaler every 7 days.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
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