What is the drug Uptravi used for?

Uptravi is an oral prescription medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1) in adults. PAH is a serious type of high blood pressure in the vessels that supply blood to your lungs.

As the pressure builds in the lungs, your heart's lower right chamber must work harder to pump blood through your lungs, leading to possible heart failure which can be fatal.

Uptravi lowers blood pressure in your lungs by widening the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs, may help to keep your PAH from getting worse.

How does Uptravi work?

Uptravi (selexipag) is classified as an oral prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonist. When you have pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), your body may produce too little of a substance called prostacyclin which helps to open the arteries. Uptravi works in a similar way to prostacyclin to help widen your arteries. Uptravi can be used alone or with other medicines you may take for PAH.

Uptravi can help to keep your condition from getting worse and help lower your risk for hospitalization.

Uptravi is available as an oral tablet or an intravenous (IV) infusion.

What are the side effects with Uptravi?

Common side effects occurring in at least 5% of patients (5 out of every 100 patients) may include:

• headache
• diarrhea
• jaw pain
• muscle pain
• pain in your arms or legs
• nausea, vomiting
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling)

These are not all of the possible side effects of Uptravi. Talk to your doctor about your treatment and what side effects you might experience.

Related: Uptravi side effects (in detail)

This is not all the information you need to know about Uptravi (selexipag) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Uptravi information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.