Delay PAH progression to stay ahead
For adults, UPTRAVI tablets start at 200 mcg twice daily and are usually increased by 200 mcg twice daily at weekly intervals to the highest tolerated dose, up to 1,600 mcg twice daily. Current U.S. labeling also includes weight-based dosing for children age 2 years and older; pediatric dosing should be determined by the prescribing clinician from the child’s weight category.
UPTRAVI® (selexipag) is a prescription medicine for PAH (WHO Group 1). It is used to treat the high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Since PAH is a progressive disease, it can get worse over time. The goal of treatment with UPTRAVI is to help delay (slow down) PAH progression to stay ahead.
How Uptravi may help
UPTRAVI reduced PAH progression by 40%
27.0% of patients treated with UPTRAVI experienced a PAH disease-progression event, compared with 41.6% of patients taking placebo.
UPTRAVI helps patients stay ahead of disease by reducing PAH-related hospitalizations and other PAH disease-progression events.
In the clinical study, PAH disease progression was defined as a serious event such as hospitalization for PAH; the need to start injectable PAH medications or chronic oxygen therapy; lung transplantation; a decline in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) combined with worsening functional class (FC) or the need for additional PAH therapy; or death.
UPTRAVI reduced hospitalizations for PAH
This benefit was shown in a clinical trial comparing UPTRAVI with placebo. Patients took UPTRAVI for an average of 1.4 years.
Patients taking UPTRAVI were able to walk farther
At six months, UPTRAVI helped patients walk an average of 12 meters (about 39 feet) more than patients taking placebo, as measured by the six-minute walk distance (6MWD).
Uptravi side effects
| Frequency | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Likely (>10%) | Headache (65%) Diarrhea (42%) Pain in the jaw (26%) Muscle pain (17%) Pain in the extremity (16%) Flushing (12%) Joint pains (11%) | Nausea (33%) Vomiting (18%) | |
| Less likely (1–10%) | Decreased appetite (6%) | Anemia (8%) | |
| Rare (<1%) |
Talk with your healthcare provider about preparing for likely side effects and options for managing diarrhea, nausea, and headache.
- Headache: the page mentions acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Taking UPTRAVI with food and an appropriate diet may help with nausea and diarrhea.
- The page also discusses loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhea and ondansetron (Zofran) for nausea when needed.
Discuss dose changes and side-effect management with your healthcare team.
What to do if you miss a dose
Take it as soon as you remember. If the next scheduled dose is due within six hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time.
Call your healthcare provider to see if you need to change your dose.
Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any form of liver disease; your dose may need to be adjusted.
Support to help you get started on UPTRAVI
When you’re prescribed UPTRAVI, support programs are available before and during treatment.
Your healthcare team reviews important information, may help enroll you in Actelion Pathways, sends the prescription to a specialty pharmacy, and works with you to select support programs such as an in-home nurse visit.
If enrolled, a Case Manager can answer prescription questions, coordinate with your healthcare provider, insurer, and specialty pharmacy, and inform you of possible financial-assistance programs based on eligibility.
You may receive additional support such as an in-home nurse visit. The specialty pharmacy also calls before monthly shipments.
Actelion Pathways information and support
An Actelion Pathways Case Manager can help coordinate coverage and provide information about possible financial-assistance programs. Call 1-866-ACTELION (1-866-228-3546), Monday–Friday, 8 AM–8 PM ET.
UPTRAVI Co-pay Program
A co-pay program is available for eligible patients with commercial insurance. patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, VA/DOD (TRICARE), Indian Health Service, or other federal/state-funded healthcare programs are not eligible for the co-pay program.
Medicare and Medicaid patients
For Medicare and Medicaid patients, nonprofit charitable assistance funds may be able to help with copay support.
Support from PAH Companions
The PAH Companion Program provides one-on-one educational support to help patients start and stay on prescribed medication and partner with their healthcare team.
- Tools for more productive discussions with your healthcare team
- Tips for engaging with your support network
- Ongoing education on managing and living with PAH
- Connection with a dedicated PAH Companion through email, phone, and/or text
Enrolled patients can call a PAH Companion at 1-866-300-1818, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–9 PM ET.
Patient support groups
Benefits and side effects may happen on different timelines
PAH medications may show benefits gradually over several months, while side effects may occur earlier. Talk with your doctor or nurse about managing side effects, and discuss medication changes with your healthcare team before making changes on your own.
Useful downloads and living with PAH
Explore these resources for nutrition, fluid management, emergency preparedness, and patient education.