• 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

Prostacyclin PPH Treatment

Prostacyclin, known generically as epoprostenol, is used to treat the symptoms of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). This drug belongs to a group of chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins occur naturally in the body and regulate many bodily functions. Prostacyclin is a type of prostaglandin that blocks platelet production and thus reduces blood clotting. PPH patients are known to have reduced Prostacyclin in their blood streams.

During primary pulmonary hypertension, the smaller blood vessels in the lungs become more resistant to blood flow. This increased resistance results in a higher arterial pressure in the pulmonary artery. The right ventricle of the heart must work harder to pump blood into the lungs. Prostacyclin works by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs and increasing the blood supply to the lungs, thus reducing the workload of the heart.

Two types of Prostacyclin drugs are available, Flolan and Remodulin. Flolan is a natural form or Prostacyclin while Remodulin is a synthetic form.

Last Revision: April 9, 2008

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