Remodulin (Treprostinil®) IV
How Remodulin Works
Remodulin mimics some of the effects of natural prostacyclin in your body
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive condition that affects your blood vessels, lungs, and heart. With PAH, your body may not produce enough prostacyclin, a natural substance that keeps blood vessels open and working properly. This makes it more difficult for your body to get the oxygen it needs.
Remodulin mimics some of the effects of the natural prostacyclin that your body lacks, making it easier for your heart to pump blood through your lungs. Remodulin may help improve exercise-related PAH symptoms, including shortness of breath and fatigue.
Learn more about managing your PAH with Remodulin
Review this information with your doctor and ask whether Remodulin may be right for you.
Remodulin has the potential to cause side effects, and some can be serious. Before starting Remodulin, ask your doctor to explain the benefits and risks, including risks related to the route of administration.
Why Remodulin?
Remodulin offers flexibility with administration
Remodulin provides medication 24 hours a day with:
- No ice packs for administration
- No refrigeration necessary for storage
Selected Important Safety Information
Before you take Remodulin, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Have other medical conditions or take other medicines that may affect your use of Remodulin by increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing the drug’s effectiveness.
- Have liver or kidney problems. Your Remodulin dose may need to be adjusted if you have liver problems.
- Have low blood pressure or bleeding problems.
- Are taking gemfibrozil (for high cholesterol), rifampin (for infection) or other drugs that affect liver enzymes. Your doctor may need to adjust your Remodulin dosage.
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Remodulin will harm your unborn baby or if Remodulin passes into your breast milk.
Remodulin Side Effect Management
Here are some Remodulin Common Side effects.
Your assigned nurse/specialty pharmacy hotline and your health care providers can help you overcome and manage this. PAH is an important disease and the medications to combat this condition have certain adverse effects that need to be overcome. Many are manageable and in time the effects may diminish and you will also better learn how to deal with them. Please communicate these with your health care provider to make sure they are not sign of something else.
Here are a few suggestions:
Nausea/vomiting: Take with food, eat small frequent meals, ginger-based foods (ginger ale) / ask for Anti-nausea medications from your health care provider (such as Ondansetron)
Diarrhea: Slow up-titration or d Dietary changes: increase fiber, gluten free, low fat, BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) Probiotic / get over-the -counter Loperamide (imodium) or ask for your provider to provide you with Diphenoxylate/Atropine (Lomotil)
Headache: Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) primarily and Ibuprofen (Advil) sparingly. If headaches continue or not controlled, ask your care providers for other solutions, including stronger medications.
Dizziness: This can be serious. Discuss with your care providers, some solutions may include decreasing blood pressure medications and checking for dehydration. Be Cautious about sudden change in position.
Jaw pain: rest reassured that this will usually get better with time. Take slow bites or sips of water, suck on saltine cracker or hard candy, chew gum before eating
flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling): Rest assured that this is usually not a dangerous side effect, try Cold packs, compress at back of neck. If continuing and bothersome discuss with your caregiver.
Site Pain (for Subcutaneous use): Use Ice, warm bath with Epsom salt, aloe vera gel, arnica oil, capsaicin cream. Use topical Anesthetic agents (lidocaine 5% patches, lidocaine/prilocaine cream, calamine lotion/cream [pramoxine], menthol/methyl salicylate cream), hemorrhoid ointments, Corticosteroids (hydrocortisone cream, triamcinolone acetonide, fluticasone propionate nasal spray, clobetasol propionate cream), Non-opioid pain pills (ibuprofen, acetaminophen). There are many other options that your caregivers can share and provide for you.
Other concerning side effect need to be discussed with your caregivers, and in fact all side effects should be communicated with your caregivers. This is an important medication and should not be suddenly discontinued. Sudden stoppage of medication may be extremely dangerous.
Starting a New Medication
- No ice packs for administration and no refrigeration for storage
- Up to 2 days between reservoir changes
- 2 pump options
- 3 mix options:
- Premix at home and store your Remodulin for up to 14 days when using a sterile high-pH glycine diluent.*†
- If eligible, you can have a 7-day supply of premixed Remodulin delivered to your home.‡
- Self-mix at home at the time of treatment.
Hear Patient Stories
Visit the In Stride YouTube channel to learn more about Remodulin and hear patients talk about their experiences with treatment.
A specialty pharmacy nurse will help you better understand and learn how to use the medication. They will come and visit you.
Remodulin is only available through a special kind of pharmacy called a Specialty Pharmacy.
You’ll receive your medication and supplies through your Specialty Pharmacy. A nurse will be assigned to your care to give step-by-step training for taking Remodulin. Ongoing support and resources include
- Remodulin refills
- Regular follow-ups to see if you have any questions, concerns, or other needs
- Follow-up nurse visits to your home, if needed
- 24-hour patient hotline
Financial Support
Remodulin Copayment Assistance Program
United Therapeutics offers financial assistance in meeting your out-of-pocket copays for those taking Remodulin. Eligible patients taking Remodulin who enroll in the program may pay only $10 per prescription, up to a $6000 savings per year. See below for program eligibility requirements.
Enrollment information is available at www.UTcopay.com or from ASSIST at 1-877-864-8437.
TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS OF USE.
The Eligibility Requirements for this program are:
- You must be aged 18 years or older
- The Program is valid only for patients with commercial (also known as private) insurance who are taking the medication for an FDA-approved indication
- Patients using Medicare, Medicaid, or any other state or federal government program to pay for their medications are not eligible. Patients who start utilizing government coverage during the term of the Program will no longer be eligible
- Eligible patients must be a resident of the United States or Puerto Rico
Other terms and conditions apply. Please see www.UTcopay.com
Other financial assistance options may be available if you do not qualify for this program. Contact ASSIST for more information. ASSIST is available Monday through Friday 8:30 AM–7 PM ET. Your Access Solutions and Support Team, or ASSIST advisor, will help determine if you qualify for financial assistance.
Medicaid and Medicare Patients
Non-profit charitable assistance funds:
For Medicare and Medicaid patients, the following foundations may be able to assist with copay support. It may take some work by you to apply. Your physician’s office, the Hub or specialty pharmacy contacts may help you through this. (See Starting a New Medication Tab.
We maintain an updated list and verify if funding is available on a weekly basis.
For Medicare and Medicaid patients, the following foundations may be able to assist with copay support. It may take some work by you to apply. Your physician’s office, the Hub or specialty pharmacy contacts may help you through this. (See Starting a New Medication Tab)
Click here to see foundations.
Patient Support
Join the Remodulin Support Program and receive your Remodulin Patient Journal.
If you’re thinking about taking Remodulin, or even if you’re already taking it, United Therapeutics has created a program just for you. When you sign up, you’ll receive a series of emails designed to deliver important information and tips, wherever you are on your treatment journey.
You will also receive the Remodulin Patient Journal in the mail. It includes helpful tips and a place to record important information to help you work toward the treatment goals you and your healthcare provider determine are appropriate.
Limit 1 journal per patient.
United by PAH Support Program
United Therapeutics created the United by PAH Support Program to assist you in your PAH journey. Together, we can take a united approach against PAH. Whether you need to find more information about PAH, access support and resources, connect with other patients, or learn more about your treatment options, we’re here to help.
PEER Network
PEER Network. Connect with a volunteer patient or caregiver mentor who has personal experience with Remodulin and can offer emotional support. Whether you’re considering or already taking Remodulin, join the PEER Network and take advantage of this program. Call 1-866-505-7337 for more information.
Expectations
Pulmonary Hypertension is a serious condition. The medications designed to fight the disease typically show benefit slowly, over months. Only a portion of patients improve their lung function. In most it prevents further loss of lung and poor outcomes.. The adverse effects (Side-effects) of these medications, however happen upfront. Your body typically will get used to them either with time, or with additional natural remedy or drugs. This may also take 2 to 3 months. It is necessary that you have patience, and talk to your doctor or nurses about dealing with them. Sometimes slowing the planned increase or cutting down on medication for a while will allow your body to adjust. Discuss matters with your doctors’ office before taking action of your own. Patience is a virtue!
Life with Pulmonary Hypertension
Fluid Management
Emergency Situations
Resources
The PHA (Pulmonary Hypertension Association) provides hope for the PAH community through support, education, advocacy, and awareness. It includes patient support groups and offers information on PAH specialists in your area.
PHAware creates global pulmonary hypertension awareness through engagement and innovation to forge a new course to a cure.
The NHLBI (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) provides valuable information about heart, vascular, and lung diseases. It also has information on clinical trials and research opportunities.
The AHA (American Heart Association) funds cutting-edge research, conducts lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocates for public health.
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