Iloprost is a drug used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), scleroderma, Raynaud's phenomenon and ischaemia [1]. It was developed by the pharmaceutical company Schering AG and is marketed by Schering AG in Europe and Actelion Pharmaceuticals in the USA.
Clinical pharmacologyIloprost is a synthetic analogue of prostacyclin PGI2. Iloprost dilates systemic and pulmonary arterial vascular beds. It also affects platelet aggregation but the relevance of this effect to the treatment of pulmonary hypertension is unknown. The two diastereoisomers of iloprost differ in their potency in dilating blood vessels, with the 4S isomer substantially more potent than the 4R isomer. Dosage and administrationInhaled IloprostIn the U.S., iloprost is intended to be inhaled specifically using the I-Neb AAD or Prodose AAD delivery systems. Iloprost has not been approved for use with other brands of nebulizers. The approved dosing regimen for iloprost is 6 to 9 times daily (no more than every 2 hours) during waking hours, according to individual need and tolerability. The significant clinical effects observed in the pivotal study of patients with PAH were achieved with a median dose of 30 mcg per day (range: 12.5 to 45 mcg delivered at the mouthpiece), corresponding to 6 daily inhalations of 5 mcg. The majority of patients (> 80%) in the pivotal study used this median dose or a higher dose with an excellent treatment compliance after 12 weeks. The first inhaled dose of iloprost should be 2.5 mcg (as delivered at the mouthpiece). If this dose is well tolerated, dosing should be increased to 5 mcg and maintained at that dose. Any patient who cannot tolerate the 5 mcg dose should be maintained at 2.5 mcg. Each inhalation treatment requires one entire single-use ampule. Each single-use ampule delivers a concentration of 10 mcg/mL to the medication chamber of either the I-Neb AAD or Prodose AAD System, and delivers a nominal dose of either 2.5 mcg or 5.0 mcg to the mouthpiece. After each inhalation session, any solution remaining in the medication chamber should be discarded. Use of the remaining solution, even if the reservoir is “topped off” with fresh medication, will result in unpredictable dosing. Patients should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the I-Neb AAD or Prodose AAD System components after each dose administration. Complete information regarding use of iloprost in specific populations (e.g. nursing mothers, pediatrics, patients with hepatic or renal impairment), drug interactions, and overdosage can be found in full prescribing information. Intravenous IloprostIloprost is also available in an intravenous form, developed and marketed by Schering AG under the trade name Ilomedine [2]. IV Iloprost is usually administer, diluted, via a peripheral vein or central venous catheter. The diluted Iloprost should be delivered by an accurate rate delivery system such as a syringe driver. Doses vary with individuals as side effects are more tolerated in some patients than others. The duration of the treatment is typically 3 days. This is usually repeated every 8 to 12 weeks [1] Important safety informationContraindications:
Common side effects:
Serious adverse events reported with the use of inhaled iloprost include congestive heart failure, chest pain, supraventricular tachycardia, shortness of breath, peripheral edema, and kidney failure. Warnings:
See alsoReferences
External links
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