HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Helpful Hints
Beginning treatment with Veletri, starts with a trip to your doctor to discuss what to expect with Veletri.

Helpful Tips for Treating PAH* with Veletri

Although living with and treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH*) isn't easy, Veletri is designed to help make therapy a little easier. Here are some tips that can help you more quickly and easily adapt to treatment with Veletri and make sure you are safely receiving the benefits of therapy in your daily life.

1. Mixing your medicine

  • If you ever have any questions after you have been trained in mixing Veletri, ask your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider
  • Be sure to involve a family member or caregiver so that they will also know how to prepare your medicine
  • Do not mix Veletri with any solutions or medications other than either sterile water or sodium chloride solution

2. Storing your medicine1

Though everyone is different, many people start Veletri I.V. therapy by preparing and using their medicine immediately, or even twice a day for some patients. As their doctor increases their dose of medicine, they may be given the option of preparing their medicine every other day. At higher doses, there is even the option of preparing up to 7 days' worth of medicine in advance. In all cases, your healthcare provider will work closely with you to find the best dose, and give you specific directions for preparing, storing, and using your medicine. Remember: never change the way you prepare or store Veletri unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

For more information about storing Veletri, please click here or refer to the accompanying full prescribing information.

3. Wearing your pump

  • A portable, battery-operated pump administers Veletri
  • To wear this pump, you may attach it to a belt around the waist or carry it in a purse or shoulder bag

4. Developing an emergency plan

  • If there is a disruption in your delivery of Veletri, call 9-1-1 immediately. It also helps to prepare an emergency kit and keep it with you at all times. Gather all of the following items in a convenient bag or carrying case:
    • Backup CADD-Legacy® 1 pump
    • Extra AA batteries (new)
    • Prepared/mixed Veletri
    • Alcohol pads or skin prep pads
    • Tape
    • Syringes
    • 18-gauge needle
    • Extra CADD-Legacy® 1 cassette
    • 48-hour supply of Veletri and either Sterile Water for Injection, USP, or Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection, USP, unmixed
    • Extra extension tubing
    • Injection cap (if needed)
    • Central line dressing change supplies
    • Sodium chloride (if flushing catheter)
    • Plastic clamps (hemostats)
  • If the catheter to the pump suddenly disconnects, immediately reconnect and call your doctor. Tell your doctor that your dosage has been interrupted and he or she will provide instructions on what to do next

5. Involving others in your care and treatment

  • Build a support network that includes family members, caregivers, other people with PAH*, and members of your healthcare team (doctors, nurses, specialty pharmacies)
  • Reach out to these individuals for education and support
  • Always talk to your doctor or healthcare team about issues or questions you may have about your condition or treatment, particularly:
    • If you are about to start on any new medicines
    • If you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant
    • You have not used your medicine exactly as prescribed
    • If you experience any side effects or allergic reactions while taking Veletri

Frequently asked questions about Veletri and treating PAH*.

For personalized service from Accredo Health Group, Inc. call 1-866-FIGHT-PH (1-866-344-4874) or visit http://www.accredo.com.


*What is Veletri?

Veletri is a prescription medicine that is given intravenously (in a vein). It is used to treat adults with certain kinds of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1), a condition in which blood pressure is too high in the blood vessels between the heart and the lungs. Veletri may improve your ability to exercise as measured by how far you can walk in 6 minutes
(6-minute walk test).

Studies showing Veletri is effective included mainly patients with NYHA Functional Class III-IV PAH. In these patients, PAH was caused by unidentified or hereditary factors or connective tissue disease.

Who should not take Veletri?

Veletri should not be used if you have heart failure due to severe left heart disease, if you develop fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) when starting therapy, or if you are allergic to epoprostenol.

Some medications may interact with Veletri. Please talk to your doctor about all of your medications.

What is the most important information I should know about Veletri?

It is important to use Veletri as directed by your doctor. Veletri should be used only with Sterile Water for Injection, USP, or Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection, USP. Do not mix Veletri with other intravenous medications. Do not freeze Veletri or expose to direct sunlight.

When you take epoprostenol for the first time, you must be in a setting (hospital or clinic) where you can be monitored for any serious side effects or in case of emergency. Your blood pressure and heart rate should also be monitored with any dose changes. If you are taking Veletri, your doctor may prescribe another kind of medicine used to prevent blood clots. Use of these types of medicines may increase the risk of bleeding.

Sudden and dramatic changes in dose may lead to unstable blood pressure, a return of pulmonary hypertension symptoms, or fatal low blood pressure (hypotension). Do not stop using Veletri without first talking to your doctor. To reduce the risk of infection in the bloodstream, it is important to know how to properly care for the catheter and infusion pump.

What are the possible side effects of Veletri?

The most commonly reported side effects during clinical trials include flushing, jaw pain, headache, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, anxiety/nervousness, and diarrhea.

Talk to your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Veletri. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see accompanying full prescribing information.

1. Veletri (epoprostenol for injection) Full Prescribing Information. Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. March 2011.