Drug reference

Epoprostenol

Vasodilator · Antihypertensive

Also known as Prostacyclin, Flolan, Veletri, PGI2, PGX

VasodilatorAntihypertensive

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Top interactionssee all 12 →

AcalabrutinibSevereDatabaseDDInter
ApixabanSevereDatabaseDDInter
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AvapritinibSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Epoprostenol, a prostaglandin, is a potent vasodilator and a powerful inhibitor of platelet aggregation. It acts as an agonist at the prostaglandin I (prostacyclin) receptor.

Indications

Inhibition of platelet aggregation during renal dialysis when heparins are unsuitable or contra-indicatedTreatment of primary pulmonary hypertension resistant to other treatments, usually with oral anti-coagulation (initiated by a specialist)Portopulmonary hypertension secondary to liver disease (facilitating transplantation)PAHsevere PAH (functional class IV)Prevent platelet aggregation and damage during haemodialysis or cardiopulmonary bypassPrimary pulmonary hypertension

Dosing

Adult: Consult product literature
Pediatric: Pulmonary Hypertension (limited data) via continuous IV infusion through central-line and 0.22-micron filter: Neonate: 20–40 nanograms/kg/min. Infant, child, and adolescent: 40 to >150 nanograms/kg/min (average 80 nanograms/kg/min). Down-titration of dosage is required in the presence of high-output state (hyperdynamic right ventricle).…

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life

Approximately 3 minutes

Contraindications

Avoid abrupt withdrawal when used for primary pulmonary hypertension (risk of rebound pulmonary hypertension)
Extreme caution in coronary artery disease
Haemorrhagic diathesis
Heart failure caused by decreased left ventricular ejection fraction
Bleeding disorders (use with caution)