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Tyvaso Inhalation

Pronunciation: TEE-vass-oh
Generic name: treprostinil
Brand names: Tyvaso Inhalation Solution, Tyvaso DPI
Dosage forms: inhalation solution, dry powder inhalation
Drug class: Agents for pulmonary hypertension

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 26, 2023.

What is Tyvaso?

Tyvaso (treprostinil) may be used to improve the ability to exercise in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; WHO Group 1) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD; WHO Group 3). It works by relaxing the blood vessels, including those in the lungs, and improving blood flow. Tyvaso is available as Tyvaso Inhalation solution and Tyvaso DPI Inhalation powder.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling in the ankles and legs, and tiredness. There are several different types of PAH.

The effects of Tyvaso are reasonably short-lasting (around 4 hours) but treatment timing can be adjusted for planned activities.

What is the Tyvaso Inhalation solution?

The Tyvaso Inhalation solution is a medium-sized electronic device that is used with a power source (battery or AC wall plug) that is used to deliver vapourised Tyvaso. It requires assembly and consists of a mouthpiece, inhalation piece, dome assembly, medicine cup, filters, and the device. Each day, one ampoule of Tyvaso is mixed with 45 ml of distilled water to provide a day’s worth of Tyvaso dosing (equates to 4 individual doses per day).

What is Tyvaso DPI?

Tyvaso DPI (dry powder inhalant) is a small and portable version of Tyvaso that uses cartridges containing treprostinil powder. It is much easier to carry and transport than the Tyvaso Inhalation device and much more discrete. Each cartridge represents a single dose of Tyvaso. One Tyvaso DPI device lasts for one week before it needs replacing.

Warnings

Before using Tyvaso, tell your doctor if you have a breathing disorder such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), an infection in your lungs (including pneumonia), low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, or a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.

Tyvaso inhalation should be used only with the inhalation system. The inhalation system comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Do not use the medication at home if you do not fully understand how to use the inhalation system and properly clean it daily. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Tyvaso DPI should only be used with the DPI cartridges. The device should not be submerged in water and needs to be replaced every week. It should be wiped with a clean dry cloth to remove any powder residue. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not swallow Tyvaso Inhalation or the powder in the cartridges. If Tyvaso solution or powder gets on your skin or in your eyes, rinse your skin or eyes with water right away.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Tyvaso Inhalation or DPI if you are allergic to treprostinil.

To make sure Tyvaso is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I use Tyvaso?

Take Tyvaso exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Do not swallow this medicine. The medicine should be inhaled only using the inhalation system or DPI device provided with the medication.

Do not use or mix other medicines with Tyvaso.

How do I use the Tyvaso inhalation solution?

Tyvaso Inhalation is usually given 4 times per day at evenly spaced treatment sessions during waking hours. During each treatment session, you will take a series of breaths, called a “cycle” through the mouthpiece. Each cycle usually equals 3 breaths of medicine (corresponding to 18 mcg of Treprostinil) but you can talk to your doctor about reducing these to 2 breaths if you are having difficulty tolerating 3 breaths.  Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Read and carefully follow any instructions for setting up and using the medicine before preparing your first dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

The effects of Tyvaso Inhalation are reasonably short-lasting (around 4 hours). Talk with your doctor if you need to time your dosing around any planned activities.

Follow all storage and cleaning instructions provided with Tyvaso Inhalation. Your pharmacist can provide more information about how to store this medicine.

Make sure you have a backup inhalation system available in case one of the systems stops working.

How do you use a Tyvaso DPI inhaler?

Only use Tyvaso DPI cartridges with the Tyvaso DPI inhaler.

Tyvaso DPI is usually given 4 times per day at evenly spaced treatment sessions (every 4 hours) during waking hours. Take one breath for each dose.

Be careful not to mix old cartridges with used cartridges. The cup moves to the middle of the cartridge when used.

How to care for your inhaler

Never wash your inhaler. If powder residue collects in the mouthpiece, wipe it off with a clean dry cloth.

Only use 1 inhaler at a time. Your inhaler can take different strengths of cartridges.

Throw away your inhaler after 7 days. You can mark the days off on a calendar.

What happens if I miss a dose?

The effects of Tyvaso wear off within 4 hours and it is used to help improve exercise tolerance. If you have missed a dose and are exercising, then take the dose. But allow 4 hours to pass before taking the next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, warmth or tingling, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling light-headed.

What should I avoid while using Tyvaso?

What are the side effects of Tyvaso?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tyvaso: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tyvaso may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Tyvaso side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Tyvaso?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tyvaso may interact with several medications, such as:

Many other drugs may interact with treprostinil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Storage

Tyvaso Inhalation solution

Store ampules in the foil pouch at room temperature (68°F to 77°F [20°C to 25°C]). Once the foil pouch is opened the ampules should be used within 7 days. Tyvaso is light sensitive so keep ampules in the foil pouch until they need to be used.

Once an ampule is in the Inhalation system, it should be used within 24 hours or discarded.

Tyvaso DPI

Empty Tyvaso DPI inhalers may be stored at room temperature (68°F to 77°F [20°C to 25°C]), in a clean dry place or the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), but if stored in the refrigerator they should be left out at room temperature for 10 minutes before use.

The blister cartridges should not be left in the inhaler nor stored in the inhaler.

When outside of your home or traveling you can store the Tyvaso DPI inhaler and the blister strips in the carrying case provided.

Ingredients

Tyvaso Inhalation solution

Supplied in 2.9 ml clear ampules packaged as 4 ampules in a foil pouch. Each ampule contains 1.74 mg of Treprostinil at a concentration of 0.6 mg/ml.

Tyvaso DPI

Tyvaso DPI cartridges come in 4 strengths:

If you a prescribed more than 64 mcg, then you will need more than 1 cartridge. These can be used in any order. Always check the expiry date of the strip of cartridges printed on the foil strip label before using.

One Tyvaso DPI inhaler device lasts for 7 days.

Manufacturer

United Therapeutics Corporation.

 

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.