How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Selexipag belongs to the class of medications called prostacyclin receptor agonists. It is used alone and in combination with other medications for long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is a condition where the arteries in the lungs become narrowed, making it harder for blood to pass through. This results in an increase in blood pressure in the lungs. Selexipag works by causing the blood vessels in the lungs to widen, making it easier for the heart to pump blood though the arteries into the lungs.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
The recommended starting dose of selexipag is 200 μg taken by mouth, 2 times a day. The doses should be spaced approximately 12 hours apart. Gradually, your doctor will increase your dose until you reach a dose that is effective without too many side effects. The maximum dose of selexipag is 1,600 μg taken 2 times daily.
This medication may be taken with or without food. Taking the medication with food may reduce the severity of side effects. Swallow the tablets whole, with water. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablets.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 6 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
If you miss taking your medication for 3 days or more, contact your doctor for directions on how to restart the medication. You may need to restart your treatment at a lower dose.
Store this medication in its original package at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
How should I use this medication?
200 μg
Each round, light yellow, film-coated tablet with "2" debossed on one side contains 200 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide yellow (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
400 μg
Each round, red, film-coated tablet with "4" debossed on one side contains 400 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide red (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
600 μg
Each round, light violet, film-coated tablet with "6" debossed on one side contains 600 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide black (E172), iron oxide red (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
800 μg
Each round, green, film-coated tablet with "8" debossed on one side contains 800 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide black (E172), iron oxide yellow (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
1000 μg
Each round, orange, film-coated tablet with "10" debossed on one side contains 1,000 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide yellow (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
1200 μg
Each round, dark violet, film-coated tablet with "12" debossed on one side contains 1,200 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide black (E172), iron oxide red (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
1400 μg
Each round, dark yellow, film-coated tablet with "14" debossed on one side contains 1,400 μg of selexipag. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide yellow (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
1600 μg
Each round, brown, film-coated tablet, with "16" debossed on one side contains selexipag 1,600 μg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, corn starch, D-mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide black (E172), iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide yellow (E172), low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol, and titanium dioxide (E171).
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to selexipag or any ingredients of the medication
- are taking the medication gemfibrozil
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- flushing (reddening of the face)
- generalized pain (jaw, muscle, joint)
- headache
- nausea
- rash
- stomach pain
- vomiting
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- low blood pressure
- signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
- signs of overactive thyroid (e.g., weight loss, sweating, tremors, anxiousness, rapid heartbeat)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- difficulty breathing
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause selexipag to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication. People with severely decreased liver function should not use this medication.
Low blood pressure: Selexipag can cause low blood pressure to become worse. If you have any conditions that may be affected by decreased blood pressure, such as taking blood pressure medications, having low blood pressure, dehydration, or certain heart conditions, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Thyroid problems: Some people taking this medication develop changes in the function of their thyroid. Symptoms of these changes include feeling cold or hot all the time, a change in weight (gain or loss) without a change in your diet or amount of exercise you get, or feeling emotional. Contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if selexipag passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Uptravi
