Flolan

acute vasodilator testing, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

3 Active Studies for Flolan

What is Flolan

Epoprostenol

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Prostacyclin is a medication that helps with blood flow by widening blood vessels and preventing platelets from clumping together. It is made in the body from substances called prostaglandin endoperoxides and is sometimes used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension. The sodium salt of prostacyclin is also available for use as a medication.

Flolan

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Flolan Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Flolan

Epoprostenol

1995

11

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Epoprostenol, otherwise called Flolan, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses which include Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension .

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Effectiveness

How Flolan Affects Patients

Epoprostenol helps widen the blood vessels, reducing the pressure on the heart and increasing blood flow. It can also reduce the risk of blood clots. In animals, epoprostenol can cause a slower or faster heartbeat, depending on the dose, as well as widened bronchial tubes, less acid in the stomach, and sped up digestion. Scientists have not been able to study the effects of this drug in humans yet.

How Flolan works in the body

Prostaglandins, like epoprostenol, are molecules found in many parts of the body and play a role in many different biological functions. Epoprostenol stops platelets from sticking together and forming clots. It does this by activating certain receptors on platelets and endothelial cells, which then triggers a cascade of events that block further platelet activation and relaxes the blood vessels. Epoprostenol works against thromboxane A2 to produce this effect.

When to interrupt dosage

The portion of Flolan is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery featured in the table under.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

acute vasodilator testing

, 1.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.15 mg/mL, 0.05 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL

, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

, 1.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.15 mg/mL, 0.05 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL

, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Warnings

Flolan has one contraindication, and should not be utilized for the circumstances given in the following table.

Flolan Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Flolan.

Common Flolan Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abrocitinib

Major

The risk or severity of bleeding and thrombocytopenia can be increased when Epoprostenol is combined with Abrocitinib.

Albutrepenonacog alfa

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Albutrepenonacog alfa can be decreased when used in combination with Epoprostenol.

Amifostine

Major

Epoprostenol may increase the hypotensive activities of Amifostine.

Andexanet alfa

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Andexanet alfa can be decreased when used in combination with Epoprostenol.

Anti-inhibitor coagulant complex

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Anti-inhibitor coagulant complex can be decreased when used in combination with Epoprostenol.

Flolan Toxicity & Overdose Risk

An overdose of epoprostenol may cause flushing, headache, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Very large doses can be fatal to mice and rats, and symptoms of poisoning include reduced activity, unsteadiness, difficulty righting themselves, slow breathing, and low body temperature.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Flolan Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Flolan?

Fifty-two active studies are currently examining the potential of Flolan in the management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

3 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 4

acute vasodilator testing

0 Actively Recruiting

Flolan Reviews: What are patients saying about Flolan?

4.7

Patient Review

1/24/2009

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

My cousin was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and told he wouldn't live past three years old. He's now 15, and recently got off flolan and oxygen. The doctors said that flolan was experimental for a child his age, but we believe it prolonged his life. He's doing great!

4.7

Patient Review

12/1/2010

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

We've tried a few different treatments for my daughter's PH, and Flolan has been the best by far. We're finally seeing some good results from her echo and clinical tests after 5 years of struggling. I'm excited to see what the new Flolan treatment can do!

4.3

Patient Review

1/24/2011

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Flolan has been a life-saving drug for me since February 2001. I occasionally have experienced jaw pain when eating, but it goes away after continuing to eat. I've also had flushing or hot flashes up to 5 times per year; however, Flolan is still a very worthwhile medication for me.

4.3

Patient Review

10/16/2008

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

4

Patient Review

2/27/2009

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

My son has been on Flolan since he was one year old for PH, and he's doing great. He's a normal kid with the exception of having to carry around a pump.

3.7

Patient Review

5/28/2010

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

I've been caring for my mother with PAH and RH failure for the last 18 months. This is our last hope, and it seems to be working--though administering the Flolan can be tricky because of air bubbles. Thankful for family support during such a trying time.

2.7

Patient Review

7/27/2009

Flolan for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Flolan has really helped me to live a more normal life. I'm a high school teacher and work 50 hours a week, something that would have been impossible before without this medication. It's a bit of a pain to mix and dress, but it is so worth it!

2.3

Patient Review

12/6/2014

Flolan for Increased Pressure of Pulmonary Circulation

My 15 year old daughter was diagnosed in January 1998 and started chest line therapy in May. She was discharged home with FLOLAN but experienced the usual side effects of jaw pain, flushing, hot flashes, and difficulty breathing. We monitored her PT levels daily and things seemed to be going well until she suffered a cardiac arrest on July 4th.

Patient Q&A Section about flolan

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What does Flolan do to blood pressure?

"FLOLAN works by widening the blood vessels in the lungs, which in turn lowers the blood pressure in the lungs."

Answered by AI

How does Flolan help pulmonary hypertension?

"Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the smaller blood vessels in the lungs become resistant to blood flow. This resistance forces the heart to work harder to pump enough blood through the lungs. Flolan works by relaxing blood vessels and therefore facilitating blood supply from the heart to the lungs. This, in turn, reduces the workload of the heart."

Answered by AI

How is Flolan administered?

"Epoprostenol can be administered either long-term through a surgically placed central venous catheter, or short-term through a small IV placed in the arm. Long-term administration requires a small battery-powered pump (CADD Legacy Pump) to keep the medication flowing into the body from outside the body, whereas short-term administration does not."

Answered by AI

What is Flolan used for?

"This medication is used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs by increasing your ability to exercise and improving symptoms such as shortness of breath and tiredness."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Flolan

Image of Clinical Physiology Laboratory in Edmonton, Canada.

Sotatercept for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

18+
All Sexes
Edmonton, Canada

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether sotatercept is effective in improving diffusing capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Participants will be asked to: * Take Sotatercept every 21 days (±3 days) * Each participant will be enrolled in the study for 29 Weeks * Visit the clinic 18 times * Have a physical exam * Perform assessments of lung function and exercise tests * Have an ultrasound of their heart * Have blood draws done at regular intervals The main objectives of the study are: Primary objective: To assess whether sotatercept will improve recruitment of diffusing membrane capacity (DM) with exercise. Secondary objective: To identify components of the diffusing capacity that respond to treatment with sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Phase 4
Recruiting

Clinical Physiology Laboratory

Michael Stickland, PhD

Merck Canada Inc.

Image of George E Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, United States.

Vascular Function in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

18+
All Sexes
Salt Lake City, UT

Many control mechanisms exist which successfully match the supply of blood with the metabolic demand of various tissues under wide-ranging conditions. One primary regulator of vasomotion and thus perfusion to the muscle tissue is the host of chemical factors originating from the vascular endothelium and the muscle tissue, which collectively sets the level of vascular tone. With advancing age and in many disease states, deleterious adaptations in the production and sensitivity of these vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances may be observed, leading to a reduction in skeletal muscle blood flow and compromised perfusion to the muscle tissue. Adequate perfusion is particularly important during exercise to meet the increased metabolic demand of the exercising tissue, and thus any condition that reduces tissue perfusion may limit the capacity for physical activity. As it is now well established that regular physical activity is a key component in maintaining cardiovascular health with advancing age, there is a clear need for further studies in populations where vascular dysfunction is compromised, with the goal of identifying the mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction and exploring whether these maladaptations may be remediable. Thus, to better understand the etiology of these vascular adaptations in health and disease, the current proposal is designed to study changes in vascular function with advancing age, and also examine peripheral vascular changes in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Sepsis, Pulmonary Hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. While there are clearly a host of vasoactive substances which collectively act to govern vasoconstriction both at rest and during exercise, four specific pathways that may be implicated have been identified in these populations: Angiotensin-II (ANG-II), Endothelin-1 (ET-1), Nitric Oxide (NO), and oxidative stress.

Phase 1
Recruiting

George E Wahlen VA Medical Center

Russell Richardson, Ph.D.