Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will teach you or a caregiver how to give this medicine. It is given as an infusion through a catheter that is placed directly under your skin or into a vein. Do not use more medicine than your doctor tells you to.

Your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare the medicine and how to use the pump for the infusion. Treprostinil must be given continuously by a portable pump. The instructions for the pump may vary depending on the particular make and model. You will be given detailed instructions on how to use and care for your pump and accessories. Make sure you understand all of the instructions before giving yourself an infusion.

If you are receiving the medicine under your skin, you will be shown the body areas where the infusion can be given. Use a different body area each time you start an infusion. Keep track of where you give each infusion to make sure you rotate body areas.

Check the liquid in the vial. If the liquid has changed color, is cloudy, or has particles in it, do not use it.

Ask your doctor who to call if you have any problems with the infusion pump. You may be given a second infusion pump to have in case the first pump stops working. Make sure you have access to this pump as a backup at all times.

You will need to continue using this medicine for a long period of time, possibly for many years. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (solution):
    • For pulmonary arterial hypertension:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The initial dose is usually 1.25 nanograms (ng) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per minute. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store unopened vials of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. An open vial of medicine must be used right away.

You may keep the medicine for up to 30 days at room temperature after you open the vial and use your first dose. You will use a syringe to take medicine from the vial and insert the syringe into the pump.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.