Epoprostenol (Systemic)
Brand Names : Flolan, Prostacyclin, PGI 2, PGX
Category- Antihypertensive (pulmonary)
- vasodilator
DescriptionEpoprostenol (e-poe-PROST-en-ole)
belongs to a group of agents called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins occur naturally
in the body and are involved in many biological functions. Epoprostenol is
used to treat the symptoms of primary pulmonary hypertension, or the high
blood pressure that occurs in the main artery that carries blood from the
right side of the heart (the ventricle) to the lungs. When the smaller blood
vessels in the lungs become more resistant to blood flow, the right ventricle
must work harder to pump enough blood through the lungs. Epoprostenol works
by relaxing blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood to the lungs,
reducing the workload of the heart.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the
following dosage form(s):
Parenteral
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
In Canada -
Other commonly used names are Prostacyclin
, PGI 2
,
and PGX
.
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