Brand name: Ventavis
Drug class: Prostacyclin and Prostacyclin Derivatives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 10, 2024. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Vasodilator and platelet-aggregation inhibitor; a synthetic prostacyclin (PGI₂) analog.

Uses for Iloprost (Pulmonary Hypertension)(Oral Inhalation)

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Management of PAH (WHO group 1 pulmonary hypertension) to improve a composite end point consisting of exercise tolerance, symptoms (NYHA/WHO functional class), and lack of clinical deterioration; has been designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use.

Efficacy established principally in patients with NYHA/WHO functional class III or IV PAH (idiopathic, heritable, or associated with connective tissue diseases).

Expert consensus guidelines recommend that all adult patients with symptomatic PAH be treated with PAH-targeted medications. Inhaled prostanoids such as iloprost are recommended among several options for treatment of WHO/NYHA class III or IV PAH, generally in those who are unwilling and not able to manage parenteral prostanoids. Selection of drug therapy should be based on disease severity (WHO/NYHA class) in addition to comorbid conditions, concomitant medications, adverse effects, route of administration, costs, and patient preferences.

Iloprost (Pulmonary Hypertension)(Oral Inhalation) Dosage and Administration

General

Pretreatment Screening

• Check patient's blood pressure. Do not administer iloprost in patients with systolic blood pressure <85 mm Hg.

Patient Monitoring

• Monitor patient's vital signs while initiating treatment.

• Monitor patients for signs of pulmonary edema. If signs occur, iloprost should be stopped immediately.

Administration

Oral Inhalation

For oral inhalation only. Do not ingest orally.

Administer using the I-neb AAD system ultrasonic nebulizer.

Each treatment session generally lasts 4–10 minutes. May interrupt treatment session for ≤10 minutes with no effect on dose administered. If interruption exceeds 10 minutes, system resets itself and patient should discard remaining solution in the nebulizer drug chamber and wait ≥2 hours for the next dose.

Patients should have immediate access to a back-up system in the event of equipment malfunction.

Patients should be trained in proper administration (including dosing frequency), manipulation of glass iloprost ampuls, and nebulizer operation/maintenance.

Do not admix iloprost with other orally inhaled drugs. Do not use nebulizer to administer any other drugs.

Do not allow solution to come in contact with the eyes or skin.

Commercially available in 1-mL single-use ampuls containing 10 or 20 mcg/mL of iloprost.

The 20-mcg/ mL concentration is intended for patients who are receiving maintenance therapy with the 5-mcg dose and repeatedly experience long treatment times, which could occur if patient's inspiratory effort is insufficient to deliver full dose within approximately 10 minutes. Transition to the 20-mcg/mL concentration will decrease time to deliver full treatment dose and help maintain compliance.

Use the manufacturer-supplied pipette to transfer the entire contents of one single-use ampul to the nebulizer drug chamber immediately prior to each inhalation session.

The 10-mcg/mL ampul delivers a dose of either 2.5 or 5 mcg to the mouthpiece, depending on the drug chamber selected by the clinician. Use the drug chamber with the red latch and the color-matched control disc to deliver a 2.5-mcg dose. Use the drug chamber with the purple latch and the color-matched control disc to deliver a 5-mcg dose.

The 20-mcg/mL ampul delivers a dose of 5 mcg; use the drug chamber with the gold latch and color-matched control disc to deliver this dose.

After each inhalation session, discard any remaining drug solution and clean the nebulizer. Review manufacturer’s information to ensure proper methods for cleaning, operation, and maintenance of the nebulizer.

Dosage

Adults

PAH

Oral Inhalation

Initially, 2.5 mcg (as delivered at the mouthpiece of the nebulizer); if tolerated, increase the next dose (≥2 hours after initial dose) to 5 mcg and maintain dosage at that level.

Administer 6–9 times daily at minimum intervals of 2 hours while awake according to clinical response. Duration of acute benefits may be <2 hours.

Prescribing Limits

Adults

PAH

Oral Inhalation

Maximum dosage evaluated: 45 mcg daily (5 mcg 9 times daily).

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.

Renal Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.

Geriatric Patients

Titrate dosage carefully.

Cautions for Iloprost (Pulmonary Hypertension)(Oral Inhalation)

Contraindications

• None.

Warnings/Precautions

Syncope

Monitor vital signs during initiation of iloprost therapy.

Do not initiate in patients with SBP <85 mm Hg.

Be alert for the presence of underlying conditions or concomitant drugs that predispose to syncope.

In patients who develop exertional syncope during iloprost therapy, consider the need for adjustment of iloprost dosage or initiation of alternative therapy.

Pulmonary Venous Hypertension

If signs of pulmonary edema occur, stop iloprost immediately, as these manifestations may indicate the presence of pulmonary venous hypertension.

Bronchospasm

Risk of bronchospasm; may be more severe or frequent in patients with history of hyperreactive airways.

Safety and efficacy not established in patients with COPD, severe asthma, or acute pulmonary infections.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

No evidence of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes in case reports and case series. Animal data are conflicting.

Lactation

Distributed into milk in rats; not known whether distributed into human milk but is likely. Discontinue nursing during treatment.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.

Geriatric Use

Studies did not include sufficient numbers of patients ≥65 years of age to determine whether geriatric patients respond differently than younger adults. Select dosage with caution because of age-related decreases in hepatic, renal, and/or cardiac function and concomitant disease and drug therapy.

Hepatic Impairment

Elimination of iloprost is reduced and/or systemic exposure is increased after oral or IV administration in patients with impaired hepatic function. Orally inhaled iloprost has not been evaluated in patients with hepatic impairment.

Renal Impairment

Systemic exposure is increased after IV administration in patients with severe renal impairment requiring intermittent dialysis. Orally inhaled iloprost has not been evaluated in patients with renal impairment, including those undergoing dialysis.

Common Adverse Effects

Adverse effects (≥3% more frequently than placebo): vasodilation (flushing), cough, headache, trismus, insomnia, nausea, hypotension, vomiting, increased alkaline phosphatase, flu syndrome, back pain, tongue pain, palpitations, syncope, increased γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), muscle cramps, hemoptysis, pneumonia.

Drug Interactions

Minimally metabolized by CYP isoenzymes.

In clinical trials, iloprost was used concomitantly with anticoagulants, diuretics, cardiac glycosides, calcium-channel blocking agents, analgesics, antipyretics, NSAIAs, corticosteroids, and other drugs.

Specific Drugs

Iloprost (Pulmonary Hypertension)(Oral Inhalation) Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Absolute bioavailability not determined.

Distribution

Extent

Generally not detectable in plasma 0.5–1 hour after inhalation.

Plasma Protein Binding

60% (mainly albumin).

Elimination

Metabolism

Undergoes β-oxidation of the carboxyl side chain. Main metabolite (tetranor-iloprost; pharmacologically inactive) found in urine in free and conjugated form. CYP isoenzymes play minor role in metabolism of iloprost.

Elimination Route

Following oral and IV administration, 81% of radiolabeled dose recovered in urine (68%) and feces (12%) within 14 hours.

Half-life

20–30 minutes.

Special Populations

In patients with hepatic impairment, elimination reduced and/or systemic exposure increased after oral or IV administration.

In patients with severe renal impairment, systemic exposure increased after IV administration in individuals requiring dialysis; AUC not substantially increased after IV administration in those not requiring dialysis.

Stability

Storage

Oral Inhalation

Inhalation Solution

20–25°C (excursions permitted between 15–30°C).

Actions

• Pharmacologic actions (e.g., direct vasodilation of pulmonary and systemic arterial vascular beds, inhibition of platelet aggregation) similar to those of epoprostenol.

• Longer half-life and duration of pulmonary vasodilatory effect than epoprostenol; unlike epoprostenol, is stable in solution at neutral pH and at room temperature; therefore, can be administered by repeated oral inhalation rather than continuous IV infusion.

• Oral inhalation results in alveolar drug deposition and possibly greater selectivity for pulmonary vasculature.

• 4S isomer substantially more potent than 4R isomer.

Advice to Patients

• Provide a copy of the manufacturer’s patient information and a copy of the users guide for the I-neb AAD system to all patients.

• Ensure that patients receive adequate training in the proper administration of iloprost (including dosing frequency), manipulation of ampuls of the drug, and operation and maintenance of the nebulizer. Advise patients to use iloprost only as prescribed with the I-neb AAD system, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Inform patients to not change the microprocessor disc or drug chamber in the nebulizer without consulting their clinician. Advise patients not to mix iloprost with other drugs and to not administer other drugs via the I-neb AAD system. Advise patients of the importance of having immediate access to a back-up I-neb AAD system in order to avoid potential interruptions in drug therapy secondary to equipment malfunction.

• Advise patients that the interval between inhalation sessions should be at least 2 hours and that the duration of acute benefits may be less than 2 hours.

• Advise patients that they may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting secondary to decreased blood pressure and caution them to rise slowly after sitting or lying down. Advise patients to avoid driving a motor vehicle or operating hazardous machinery if they experience dizziness or fainting and to consult their clinician about dosage adjustment if fainting persists or worsens.

• Advise women to inform their clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.

• Advise patients to inform their clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, and dietary and herbal supplements, as well as any concomitant illnesses (e.g., liver or kidney disease).

• Inform patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Additional Information

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Available only through specialty pharmacies ([Web]).

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