INDICATION

VELETRI^® (epoprostenol) for Injection is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise capacity. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominantly patients with NYHA Functional Class III-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD).

Dose Initiation
VELETRI is a potent pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. Initiate VELETRI in a setting with adequate personnel and equipment for physiologic monitoring and emergency care. During dose initiation, asymptomatic increases in pulmonary artery pressure coincident with increases in cardiac output occurred rarely. In such cases, consider dose reduction, but such an increase does not imply that chronic treatment is contraindicated.

Chronic Use and Dose Adjustment
During chronic use, deliver VELETRI continuously on an ambulatory basis through a permanent indwelling central venous catheter. Unless contraindicated, administer anticoagulant therapy to patients receiving VELETRI to reduce the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism or systemic embolism through a patent foramen ovale. To reduce the risk of infection, use aseptic technique in the reconstitution and administration of VELETRI and in routine catheter care.

Because epoprostenol is metabolized rapidly, even brief interruptions in the delivery of VELETRI may result in symptoms associated with rebound pulmonary hypertension including dyspnea, dizziness, and asthenia. Intravenous therapy with VELETRI will likely be needed for prolonged periods, possibly years, so consider the patient’s capacity to accept and care for a permanent intravenous catheter and infusion pump.

Dosage of VELETRI during chronic use should be adjusted at the first sign of recurrence or worsening of symptoms attributable to pulmonary hypertension or the occurrence of adverse events associated with epoprostenol. Following dosage adjustments, monitor standing and supine blood pressure and heart rate closely for several hours.

Withdrawal Effects
Abrupt withdrawal (including interruptions in drug delivery) or sudden large reductions in dosage of VELETRI may result in symptoms associated with rebound pulmonary hypertension, including dyspnea, dizziness, and asthenia. Abrupt withdrawal should be avoided.

ADVERSE EVENTS

The most common and dose-limiting adverse events during dose initiation and escalation (≥1%) were flushing (58%), headache (49%), nausea/vomiting (32%), hypotension (16%), anxiety/nervousness/agitation (11%), chest pain (11%), dizziness (8%), bradycardia (5%), abdominal pain (5%), musculoskeletal pain (3%), dyspnea (2%), back pain (2%), sweating (1%), dyspepsia (1%), hypesthesia/paresthesia (1%), and tachycardia (1%).

Adverse events occurring in patients with idiopathic or heritable PAH with ≥10% difference between epoprostenol and conventional therapy alone were chills/fever/sepsis/flu-like symptoms (25% vs 11%), tachycardia (35% vs 24%), flushing (42% vs 2%), diarrhea (37% vs 6%), nausea/vomiting (67% vs 48%), jaw pain (54% vs 0%), myalgia (44% vs 31%), nonspecific musculoskeletal pain (35% vs 15%), anxiety/nervousness/tremor (21% vs 9%), dizziness (83% vs 70%), headache (83% vs 33%), and hypesthesia/hyperesthesia/paresthesia (12% vs 2%).

Adverse events occurring in patients with PAH/CTD with ≥10% difference between epoprostenol and conventional therapy alone were flushing (23% vs 0%), hypotension (13% vs 0%), anorexia (66% vs 47%), nausea/vomiting (41% vs 16%), diarrhea (50% vs 5%), jaw pain (75% vs 0%), pain/neck pain/arthralgia (84% vs 65%), headache (46% vs 5%), skin ulcer (39% vs 24%), and eczema/rash/urticaria (25% vs 4%).

Thrombocytopenia has been reported during uncontrolled clinical trials in patients receiving epoprostenol.

Although the relationship to epoprostenol administration has not been established, pulmonary embolism has been reported in several patients taking epoprostenol and there have been reports of hepatic failure.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Additional reductions in blood pressure may occur when VELETRI is administered with diuretics, antihypertensive agents, or other vasodilators. When other antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants are used concomitantly, there is the potential for VELETRI to increase the risk of bleeding. However, patients receiving infusions of epoprostenol in clinical trials were maintained on anticoagulants without evidence of increased bleeding. In clinical trials, epoprostenol was used with digoxin, diuretics, anticoagulants, oral vasodilators, and supplemental oxygen.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

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