Drug found to limit worsening of the disease and reduce the need for hospitalization
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Uptravi (selexipag) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Uptravi, an oral IP prostacyclin receptor agonist, relaxes and opens blood vessels, easing the elevated pressure, the agency said.
The drug was evaluated in clinical trials involving 1,156 adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Trial participants who took the drug did so for an average of about a year and a half. The drug was found to limit worsening of the disease and reduce the need for hospitalization.
Uptravi’s most common side effects included headache, diarrhea, jaw pain, nausea, myalgia, vomiting, pain in the arms and legs, and flushing.
The drug is marketed by San Francisco-based Actelion Pharmaceuticals.
Health News Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
