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.
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.
