Treatments and Pharmaceuticals for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a type of high blood pressure that affects the pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart. This condition can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and chest pain.
Treatment for PAH involves a combination of medications and close monitoring by healthcare professionals. The goal of PAH drugs is to stop further damage to the pulmonary arteries and manage symptoms.
One group of medications used in the treatment of PAH are calcium channel blockers, such as Amlodipine and Nifedipine. These drugs can help a small number of people with PAH by relaxing blood vessel walls.
Vasodilators, such as Iloprost (Ventavis), Treprostinil (Tyvaso), Epoprostenol (Flolan, Veletri), Treprostinil Sodium (Remodulin), and Selexipag (Uptravi), are also used. These drugs open blocked and narrowed blood vessels in the lungs, helping blood flow more easily. Sildenafil (Revatio) and Tadalafil (Adcirca) are similar medications that are used to open narrowed blood vessels and improve blood flow through the lungs.
Anticoagulants, such as Warfarin (Coumadin), are used to prevent blood clots in the lungs. However, it's important to note that anticoagulants can cause increased bleeding if the person is injured or cut.
Endothelin receptor antagonists, including Ambrisentan (Letairis), Bosentan (Tracleer), and Macitentan (Opsumit), are another type of medication used in the treatment of PAH. These drugs reverse the effect of endothelin on the walls of blood vessels. However, they can cause serious side effects such as low blood hemoglobin levels and liver damage, and anemia is a common side effect.
Riociguat (Adempas), a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, is another option. It can cause very low blood pressure and bleeding as serious side effects. Riociguat interacts with Sildenafil, Tadalafil, antacids, and cigarette smoke.
In Germany, recommended drugs for treating PAH include Prostacyclin analogs such as Treprostinil (marketed as Trepulmix), Epoprostenol, and Iloprost; Endothelin receptor antagonists like Macitentan combined with Tadalafil (marketed as Yuvanci); and Riociguat (Adempas) for both PAH and inoperable or persistent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
It's important to note that treating the condition that caused PAH won't cure it, but it may slow the progression and improve some symptoms. Your doctor will closely monitor your condition and make changes to your diet and medications if you take a blood thinner.
Diuretics remove extra fluid from the body, making it easier for the heart to move blood into the lungs and around the body. Digoxin helps the heart pump more effectively, causing more blood to flow.
The best treatment for PAH depends on various factors, including health history, the advancement of PAH, and other health problems being treated. It's crucial to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the most effective treatment plan for your specific situation.
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