Treatments for PAH

Developing an individualized treatment plan

Although there is no cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), there are several treatments available. You can work closely with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan. PAH is a progressive disease—meaning that it gets worse over time. That's why an early diagnosis is so important.

Treatments for PAH

Several medications have been approved by the FDA to treat PAH. You can work with your healthcare provider to determine which medication is appropriate for you.

Tracleer is one such approved PAH medication for WHO Functional Class II, III and IV. It's pronounced tra • KLEER and is available as a pill taken by mouth. Tracleer is a medication that works differently from many other treatments for PAH. It is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist.

Learn about Tracleer, a medication for PAH

Medications you may receive in addition to your PAH treatment

Because PAH is a severe and chronic disease, treatment can be complex. Many physicians prescribe medications for other conditions associated with PAH. These may include:

• Anticoagulants—to prevent blood clots in the lungs
• Digoxin—to help the heart pump more effectively (however, this drug has no effect on constricted blood vessels)
• Diuretics—to reduce fluid in the body and reduce swelling in the feet and legs
• Inhaled oxygen-to make more oxygen available to the blood

However, be sure to inform your healthcare provider of all the medications you are taking.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Because of the risks associated with Tracleer, this medication may be prescribed by your doctor only through the Tracleer Access Program.

Liver damage: Tracleer can cause serious liver damage, including in rare cases liver failure and, in situations with regular liver testing, unexplained liver cirrhosis. So you must have a blood test to check your liver function before you start Tracleer and each month after that. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of liver problems: nausea, vomiting, fever, unusual tiredness, abdominal (stomach area) pain, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice).

Serious birth defects: Tracleer is very likely to cause serious birth defects. It is important not to be or to become pregnant while taking Tracleer or one month after stopping treatment and to have a pregnancy test before you start the drug and each month thereafter. It is very important for you to use reliable forms of birth control while taking Tracleer. Hormonal contraceptives should not be used alone because they may not be effective in patients taking Tracleer.

Do not take Tracleer with glyburide because it may increase your chance of liver injury. Do not take Tracleer with cyclosporine-A because it may increase your chance of side effects.

Please see Additional Safety Information.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.

Learn more about how to manage your PAH