Uptravi (Selexipag®)
Delay PAH progression to stay ahead
How can UPTRAVI help?
UPTRAVI® (selexipag) is a prescription medicine for PAH (WHO Group 1). It is used to treat the high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Since PAH is a progressive disease, it can get worse over time. The goal of treatment with UPTRAVI is to help delay (slow down) PAH progression to stay ahead.
UPTRAVI reduced PAH progression by 40%
UPTRAVI® (selexipag) helps you stay ahead of your disease by reducing PAH-related hospitalizations and other PAH disease progression events.
- 27.0% of patients treated with UPTRAVI experienced a PAH disease progression event vs 41.6% of patients on placebo (a sugar pill)
In a clinical study of UPTRAVI, PAH disease progression was defined as a serious event, such as hospitalization for PAH; the need to start injectable PAH medications or chronic oxygen therapy; lung transplantation; a decline in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) combined with worsening of functional class (FC) or need for additional PAH therapy; or death.
UPTRAVI reduced hospitalizations for PAH
This benefit was shown in a clinical trial that compared patients taking UPTRAVI® (selexipag) with those taking a placebo. Patients took UPTRAVI for an average of 1.4 years.
Patients taking UPTRAVI were able to walk farther than patients taking a placebo
At 6 months, in a clinical trial, UPTRAVI helped patients walk an average of 12 meters (about 39 feet) more than patients taking placebo, as measured by the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD).
Uptravi Side Effects
| Side Effect Severity | Mild | Moderate | Severe | ||
| Likely (>10%) |
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|
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| Less Likely (1-10%) |
Decreased Appetite (6%) |
Anemia (8%) |
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| Rare (<1%) |
You need to be prepared to work through the likely adverse effects. It would be advisable for patients to get prescriptions or guidance to deal with diarrhea, nausea and headache.
- Headache is treated with Tylenol (Acetaminophen).
- Taking Uptravi with food and the right diet will help avoid nausea and diarrhea. Please see section bellow on managing your diet.
It that is not enough:
- Diarrhea is typically treated with Imodium (Loperamide)- Purchase some before you start the medication to be prepared.
- Nausea is treated first with Zofran (ondansetron).
YOU WILL NOT NEED TO SUFFER SIDE EFFECTS FOR LONG! YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION TO GO BACK TO A LOWER DOSE WHERE YOU WERE MORE CONFORTABLE. UPTRAVI WILL STILL WORK!
Please talk to your provider about preparing for adverse effects.
What to do if you miss a dose of UPTRAVI:
If you miss a dose of UPTRAVI, take it as soon as you remember. If your next scheduled dose is due within 6 hours, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time
If you miss 3 or more days of UPTRAVI, call your healthcare provider to see if you need to change your dose
If you take too much UPTRAVI, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away
It is important to tell your healthcare provider if you have any form of liver disease as your healthcare provider may need to adjust your dose of UPTRAVI
Starting a New Medication
Support to help you get started on UPTRAVI
When you’re prescribed UPTRAVI® (selexipag), it is important to know that there are support and programs available to you. Here is what you can expect before and during your PAH treatment with UPTRAVI:
Your healthcare provider prescribes UPTRAVI
- Your healthcare team will review important information about UPTRAVI with you. They can help you enroll in Actelion Pathways®
- Your prescription will be sent to a specialty pharmacy
- Your healthcare provider will work with you to select the specialty pharmacy support programs that are right for you when starting UPTRAVI, such as an in-home nurse visit
Work with an Actelion Case Manager
- If you enroll in Actelion Pathways, a Case Manager will call you to:
- Answer your questions about filling your prescription
- Coordinate with your healthcare provider, insurance company, and specialty pharmacy to find out if you have coverage
- Inform you of possible financial assistance programs based on your eligibility
Your specialty pharmacy will call you before you start UPTRAVI
- You may receive additional support programs, such as an in-home nurse visit before starting UPTRAVI
- Before your UPTRAVI ships each month, your specialty pharmacy will call to alert you
Financial Support
Actelion Pathways® information and support for people taking UPTRAVI:
When you are prescribed UPTRAVI, your healthcare provider can help you enroll in Actelion Pathways. Once you are enrolled, a Case Manager will help coordinate with your healthcare provider, insurance company, and specialty pharmacy to find out if you have coverage for UPTRAVI, as well as inform you of possible financial assistance programs. To learn more about the support and programs offered by Actelion Pathways, call 1-866-ACTELION (1-866-228-3546), Monday to Friday, 8 AM-8 PM ET.
UPTRAVI Co-pay Program
The Actelion Oral PAH Therapy Co-pay Program—Eligible patients pay no more than $5 per UPTRAVI® (selexipag) prescription fill through this savings program, with a 12-month maximum assistance of $10,000.
The Actelion Oral PAH Therapy Co-pay Program (the “Co-pay Program”) is only available for residents of the US and Puerto Rico who have commercial health insurance with co-pay/co-insurance exceeding $5 per prescription fill per Actelion oral PAH therapy. You must be 18 years or older to use the Co-pay Program for yourself or a minor. PATIENTS INELIGIBLE FOR THE CO-PAY PROGRAM INCLUDE THOSE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE, MEDICAID, VA/DOD (TRICARE), THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL- OR STATE-FUNDED HEALTHCARE PROGRAM, OR WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The Co-pay Program is not prescription drug coverage or insurance. Actelion reserves the right to terminate or modify this program at any time or without notice. Other terms and conditions apply.
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)
Click here to see Financial Assistance for Medicare patients.
Patient Support
Support from our PAH Companions
Actelion Pathways® PAH Companion* Program provides one-on-one educational support to help you start and stay on your prescribed Actelion medication and resources to help you partner with your healthcare team to better manage your pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Look to the Actelion Pathways® PAH Companion for:
Tools to help you have more productive discussions with your healthcare team.
Tips for engaging with your support network (friends, family, and peers).
Ongoing education on managing and living with PAH.
Connection with a dedicated PAH Companion* through email, phone, and/or text.
As part of the program, Actelion Pathways® PAH Companions* are ready to answer your questions. Patients who have enrolled can talk to a PAH Companion* by calling 1-866-300-1818, Mon-Fri, 8 AM-9 PM ET.
Patient Support Groups
Through Pulmonary Hypertension Association, find a support group close to you.
Expectations
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a serious condition. The medications designed to fight the disease typically show benefit slowly, over months, with most needing 4 to 6 months for maximum effect. 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!
Useful Downloads
The following resources are available to you from Actelion:
Life with Pulmonary Hypertension
Fluid Management
Emergency Situations
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