Treprostinil Nebulizer Solution: A special treatment for pulmonary hypertension using steam

Do you sometimes have difficulty breathing, a feeling of heaviness in your chest, or feel faint even when you are slightly tired? Although there are many reasons for this, sometimes the cause can be an increase in pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs. Today we are going to talk about a medicine that is used to treat such a specific condition.

What is Treprostinil?

Simply put, Treprostinil is a medication used to treat a condition called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). It is a liquid medication that is inhaled as a vapor.

Now you might be wondering what pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is, is it different from normal blood pressure? Yes, it is different. Imagine that the water pipes in your house are clogged and narrowed. How hard is it for a water pump to pump water through the pipes? The pump has to carry a lot of weight, right? In the same way, when the blood vessels that carry blood from our heart to the lungs become narrow, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. This is what we call `Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)`.

Treprostinil works by relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels in the lungs. This reduces the pressure inside the lungs. This reduces the workload on the heart, allowing it to pump blood to the rest of the body more easily. This makes it easier for you to breathe and makes it easier to do your daily activities. This medicine is available under the brand names Tyvaso and others.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before starting this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to mention the following in particular:

• Liver disease: If you have any liver disease, be sure to mention it, as the liver is directly involved in the process of eliminating this medicine from the body.
• Low blood pressure: If you have low blood pressure, this medicine may lower it even more. This may cause dizziness. Tell your doctor about it.
• Other respiratory diseases: If you have other respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD, tell us about them as well.
• Wheezing: If you hear a whistling sound when you breathe, it could be a sign of an obstruction in your airway. Tell your doctor about that as well.
• Allergies: If you have an allergy to this medicine, Treprostinil, or any other medicine, food, or dye, please tell us about it.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is essential to inform your doctor before starting this medication.

How to use the medicine?

This is done using a nebulizer , a device that creates a mist. The nebulizer turns the liquid medicine into a small mist (aerosol). You can then inhale the mist through your mouth or nose and send it straight into your lungs.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor, for the prescribed amount of time. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice. Read the instructions that come with this medicine carefully. If there is anything you do not understand, ask your doctor to make sure you understand it.

What if the dose is increased or forgotten?

If you accidentally take more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

Some medications can interact with Treprostinil, so tell your doctor about everything you're taking.

• Some medications for high blood pressure or heart disease
• `Gemfibrozil` (a cholesterol-lowering drug)
• `Rifampin` (an antibiotic given for tuberculosis)

This list is not complete. So give your doctor a complete list of all the medications (prescribed and over-the-counter), herbs, vitamins, and supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Side effects and things to be aware of

It is important to pay attention to changes in your body while taking this medication.

Things to be aware of in general

• Regular medical check-ups: Don't skip your doctor's appointments. This is essential to see how you are doing with your treatment.
• Reporting symptoms: If your symptoms do not improve or seem to be getting worse, tell your doctor immediately.
• Bleeding risk: This medication may slightly increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Therefore, if you notice unusual bruising, bleeding gums when brushing your teeth, or bleeding involuntarily, inform your doctor.

Side effects

Let's break down the possible side effects of this medication into two categories. Some are serious and require immediate medical attention. Others are common, but should be reported if they persist.

How do you store and dispose of the medicine?

• Storage: Keep out of reach of children and pets. Store the unopened foil packet of ampoules at room temperature (20-25 degrees Celsius). Once the foil packet is opened, the ampoules should be used within 7 days. Protect from light. Do not open the ampoule until ready to use.
• Medication in the Nebulizer: Once medication is placed in the Nebulizer, do not leave it in the machine for more than 24 hours. Remove any medication left in the machine at the end of the day.
• Disposal: The best way to dispose of expired or no longer needed medications is to donate them to medication take-back programs available at hospitals or some pharmacies. Ask your doctor or hospital about this. If this is not possible, ask your doctor how to safely dispose of this medication.

Treprostinil, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, PAH, Tyvaso, nebulizer, pulmonary hypertension, wheezing, respiratory disease