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The following resources are a great place to find PAH information, news, and ideas for how to get involved with the PAH community. PAH Pathways® Your one point of contact for Actelion services and support programs. This comprehensive program provides personal assistance with access to Tracleer, insurance coverage information, financial assistance programs and Sure Steps. Sure Steps™ A comprehensive patient support and education program available to patients taking Tracleer. Sure Steps Connect™ An online educational conference series that allows Sure Steps members and caregivers to watch experts discuss a variety of PAH- and Tracleer-related topics. Pulmonary Hypertension Association Dedicated to increasing awareness and advocacy by providing information about PAH to both physicians and patients. PH Central An online resource for PAH information and support for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals. PAH-info.com An international site for both patients and physicians providing detailed information about PAH. The Scleroderma Foundation A site for scleroderma patients, caregivers, and family members—dedicated to support, education, and research. International Scleroderma Network An international patient and medical organization delivering research, support, education and awareness for scleroderma and related illnesses. Caring Voice Coalition An independent, non-profit third-party organization that provides financial assistance to eligible patients. Adult Congenital Heart Association Dedicated to providing education, outreach, and support to adults with congenital heart disease and the physicians who treat them. National Institutes of Health An agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services—a resource for healthcare information and medical research. *INDICATION Tracleer is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise ability and to decrease clinical worsening. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominantly patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (60%), PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (21%), and PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (18%). Considerations for use Patients with WHO class II symptoms showed reduction in the rate of clinical deterioration and a trend for improvement in walk distance. Physicians should consider whether these benefits are sufficient to offset the risk of liver injury in WHO class II patients, which may preclude future use as their disease progresses. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Because of the risks of liver injury and birth defects, Tracleer may be prescribed and dispensed only
through the Tracleer Access Program (T.A.P.), a restricted distribution program, by calling 1-866-228-3546.
Only prescribers and pharmacies registered with T.A.P. may prescribe and distribute Tracleer. Tracleer
may be dispensed only to patients who are enrolled in and meet all conditions of T.A.P.
Liver injury Elevations of liver aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and liver failure have been reported with Tracleer. In a setting of close monitoring, rare cases of liver failure and unexplained hepatic cirrhosis were observed after prolonged treatment. In general, avoid using Tracleer in patients with elevated aminotransferases (>3 × ULN). Measure liver aminotransferases prior to initiation of treatment and then monthly. Discontinue Tracleer if aminotransferase elevations are accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction or injury or increases in bilirubin ≥2 × ULN. Teratogenicity Based on animal data, Tracleer is likely to cause major birth defects if used during pregnancy. Exclude pregnancy before and during treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of childbearing potential must use 2 reliable forms of contraception during treatment and for 1 month after stopping Tracleer unless the patient has a tubal sterilization or Copper T 380A IUD or LNg 20-IUS inserted, in which case no other contraception is needed. Monthly pregnancy tests should be obtained. CONTRAINDICATIONS Tracleer is contraindicated with cyclosporine A, glyburide, in females who are or may become pregnant, or in patients who are hypersensitive to bosentan or any component of Tracleer. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS In clinical trials, Tracleer caused ALT/AST elevations (>3 × ULN) in 11% of patients accompanied by elevated bilirubin in a few cases. The combination of hepatocellular injury (increases in aminotransferases of >3 × ULN) and increases in total bilirubin (≥3 × ULN) is a marker for potential serious liver injury. Liver aminotransferase levels must be measured prior to initiation of treatment and then monthly. Avoid using Tracleer in patients with moderate or severe liver impairment or elevated ALT/AST >3 × ULN. If clinically significant fluid retention develops, with or without associated weight gain, the cause, such as Tracleer or underlying heart failure, must be determined. Patients may require treatment or Tracleer therapy may need to be discontinued. Preclinical data and an open-label safety study (N=25) showed a decline in sperm count of ≥50% in 25% of Tracleer-treated patients after 3 or 6 months. After 6 months, sperm count remained in normal range, with no changes in sperm morphology or motility, or hormone levels. Endothelin receptor antagonists such as Tracleer may adversely affect spermatogenesis. Treatment with Tracleer can cause a dose-related decrease in hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit. Hgb should be checked after 1 and 3 months, and then every 3 months. Upon marked decrease in Hgb, determine the cause and need for specific treatment. If signs of pulmonary edema occur, the possibility of associated pulmonary veno-occlusive disease should be considered. Tracleer should be discontinued. ADVERSE EVENTS In Tracleer pivotal trials, the most common adverse events occurring more often in Tracleer-treated patients than in patients taking placebo (≥2%) were respiratory tract infection, edema, hypotension, sinusitis, arthralgia, liver function test abnormal, palpitations, and anemia. Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING about liver injury and pregnancy. |
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