• Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• PPH Symptoms
• PPH Diagnosis
• PPH Causes
• PPH Treatment
  • Ambrisentan
  • Tracleer
  • Flolan
  • Remodulin
  • Prostacyclin
  • Lung Transplants
  • Thelin
• Diet Drugs and PPH
• Legal Remedies for PPH

Flolan Treatment For Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Flolan PPH Treatment

Flolan is a vasodilator drug approved by the FDA in 1995 for the treatment of PPH, primary pulmonary hypertension. Flolan is a natural form of prostacyclin (epoprostenol) that is produced and marketed by Glaxo Wellcome, Inc. Primary pulmonary hypertension is a disease the occurs when the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, the large artery carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs, becomes abnormally elevated. PPH is related to narrowing of the blood vessels and restriction of blood flow in the lungs. The restriction of lung blood flow causes a back pressure in the heart, causing less oxygen to get into the blood and causing the right ventricle of the heart to become overworked.

Flolan Benefits

Flolan, being a form of prostacyclin, belongs to a group of agents in the body called prostaglandins. It is a potent vasodilator that benefits the patient by relaxing blood vessels in the lungs and slowing the process of scarring and cell growth in the lung vessels. This action prevents further narrowing of the lung vessels and thus increases the amount of oxygen that gets into the bloodstream. Flolan treatment increases cardiac output, improves exercise tolerance and prolongs survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Flolan was once thought to be a means to extend life of PPH patients while awaiting a lung transplant, but it has become an alternative to lung transplantation.

Flolan Treatment

Flolan is administered directly into the bloodstream intravenously. A surgically implanted catheter is placed in the vein of the chest and leads directly into the heart. A battery operated pump administers the drug through a thin plastic cannula. The pump is typically worn on the belt or carried in a small shoulder pack. After injection, the drug lasts only 3 to 5 minutes, meaning that Flolan must be continuously infused. The pump slowly, but constantly, injects Flolan into the vein in the chest. Since Flolan is a biological agent (i.e. derived from natural substances), it has a very short shelf life. It has to be mixed daily using a powder and a diluent. The Flolan solution is placed in a plastic cassette that is attached to the pump. Once the solution is mixed, it must be kept refrigerated. Although for a practical standpoint, refrigeration is only needed after about 8 hours, so a patient should expect to place small ice packs around the pump after that time period.

Flolan Side Effects

Flolan side effects can include headache, flushing, jaw pain, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Also, infections of the central cannula line can occur, but this is rare. When infections do occur, they may require hospitalization and replacement of the central line.

Flolan Cost

Flolan is considered a treatment for PPH rather than a prescription drug. Because of this, Flolan is often fully covered by insurance and Medicare (with approval before treatment starts).

Flolan Versus Remodulin

Remodulin is a synthetic form of prostacyclin that has been more recently approved by the FDA. Remodulin has similar beneficial vasodilator effects as Flolan and similar side effects. It is longer lasting than Flolan and as such does not require infusion directly into the blood stream, but can be injected under the skin (subcutaneous). It is injected subcutaneously in the abdominal area. As a synthetic agent, it does not need to be mixed each day and does not require refrigeration; however, unlike Flolan, the location of the cannula in the abdomen area must be moved on a regular basis (every few days). There can be considerable pain in the injection area due to constant insertion and re-insertion of the cannula. Finally, Remodulin is considered a prescription drug as opposed to treatment, and is thus paid differently by insurance companies and Medicare.

Flolan Versus Tracleer

Tracleer (bosentan) is the most recent drug approved by the FDA for treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension. It is taken orally, and thus does not require a pump like Flolan or Remodulin. Tracleer is also a potent vasodilator, but it works through a different mechanism and is not a type of prostacyclin. The side effect for Tracleer can be more significant than those of Flolan and Remodulin.

Last Revision: December 18, 2007

MediaFact is a noteworthy Internet resource about drug side effects connected with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.