Planning ahead for PAH-Days Having trouble viewing the e-mail below? Click here.
Orenitram is a prescription medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Orenitram may improve your ability to exercise. It is not known if Orenitram is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
I sit in an office chair with wheels when I vacuum the floors. I also keep chairs in every room so I can sit when I get tired.
Navigating the tough days
Dear [Name/Patient],
Regardless of their treatment plan, many people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) describe having days when their PAH seems worse than other days. Sometimes people call these "PAH-Days". You may have heard of them or even experienced them yourself. These are days when you may need support from others. Some days it may be challenging to even get out of bed. You may feel sad or overwhelmed, which is understandable. PAH-Days can be physical or emotional.
Ask for help
On days when you don't feel up to doing regular activities, don't be afraid to ask for help. You may find it difficult to admit that you can't handle everything alone, but it's OK to need a hand sometimes. Since many of the symptoms of PAH aren't visible, your family and friends may not even realize you need help until you ask for it.
This is also true with your healthcare team. Sharing the complete picture with your healthcare team may help them better understand your individual experience with PAH. It may not always be comfortable sharing personal experiences, but remember, by letting your friends, family, and healthcare team know how you feel, they will be better equipped to help.
Modify as necessary
Sometimes help isn't readily available, and you have to figure out other solutions. Think about how you can modify tasks to make them doable on PAH-Days. How can you simplify the activity? Can it wait until a day when you are feeling better instead? Most importantly, listen to your body. If you need to rest, do so.
Thinking ahead
Start planning your approach now so you'll be prepared for PAH-Days. Download the PAH-Day Road Map, and work with your healthcare provider to customize it to address your individual needs.
PAH can change over time. If you notice that PAH-Days are happening more frequently, call your healthcare provider. Remember, your healthcare team is your best resource. They've seen how other people approach their PAH-Days, so they may have ideas and suggestions that could help you, too.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take Orenitram if you have severe liver problems.
Before you take Orenitram, tell your healthcare provider if you:
  • Have liver problems, diverticulosis, or any other medical conditions
  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding, and/or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. It is not known if Orenitram will harm your unborn baby or if Orenitram passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take Orenitram or breastfeed. You should not do both
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Orenitram and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. Do not start or stop any new medicine until you check with your healthcare provider. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take another medicine that contains the same ingredient, treprostinil. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and the dose you take to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Do not change your dose or suddenly stop taking Orenitram without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Orenitram suddenly may cause worsening of your PAH symptoms. If you miss two or more doses of Orenitram, call your healthcare provider. If you take too much Orenitram, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
If Orenitram tablets are not taken whole, they may release too much medicine at one time. This can lead to side effects. Do not split, chew, crush, or break your Orenitram tablets. Do not take Orenitram tablets that are damaged or broken. Take Orenitram with food.
Orenitram can cause serious side effects, including an increased risk of bleeding. This risk could be increased if you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin.
The most common side effects of Orenitram include headache, diarrhea, nausea and flushing. These are not all of the possible side effects of Orenitram. Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you, get worse over time, or do not go away.
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Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for Orenitram.
For additional information, visit Orenitram.com or call 1-877-UNITHER (1-877-864-8437).
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as treatment advice. Consult your healthcare provider for treatment advice.
Sincerely,
Your Orenitram Support Team