Transcript
Alejandra - Tips for Getting Started with Orenitram
My name is Alejandra. I live in California. I’ve been diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension for 15 years.
It might be a little tough and rough at the beginning, but once you get that hang, it’s truly better.
You have to find your people, as they say, to help you get through. I think that’s one of the most important things. The second, I would think, is to organize yourself, to have your things in their proper place, certain things, everything at the right time where it needs to be.
I’m not great at remembering things, so I use my phone for reminders to remind me to take my medication.
I carry snacks in the car. I carry, you know, waters, things that are going to help me.
The nurse came out two times and she helped me to make sure I always write down side effects, so that I can know what I was feeling.
And now fast forward, it’s something that I don’t have to track anymore because I’m not feeling them as much anymore, like I did in the beginning.
If I could go back and talk to myself, I would definitely tell myself that it was worth it.
Like anything, you have to learn to adjust. The medications are there to help us. And eventually, our bodies will adjust.
So it’s something that we’ve just got to keep trying.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ORENITRAM
Who should not take Orenitram?
Do not take Orenitram if you have severe liver problems.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Orenitram?
Tell your healthcare provider:
- If you have liver problems or diverticulosis.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, and/or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. It is not known if Orenitram will harm your unborn baby or if Orenitram passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Orenitram.
- About all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Orenitram and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. Do not start any new medicine until you check with your healthcare provider. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take another medicine that contains treprostinil, such as Remodulin® or Tyvaso®.
How should I take Orenitram?
- Do not change your dose or suddenly stop taking Orenitram without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- Orenitram is usually taken 3 times a day (about every 8 hours) or 2 times a day (about every 12 hours). Your healthcare provider will tell you how often you should take Orenitram. If you have side effects, your healthcare provider may tell you to change your dose or when you take Orenitram. Take Orenitram with food.
- Swallow Orenitram tablets whole. Do not split, chew, crush, or break your Orenitram tablets. Do not take Orenitram tablets that are damaged or broken. If Orenitram tablets are not taken whole, they may release too much medicine at one time. This can lead to side effects.
- If you miss your dose of Orenitram, take the missed dose as soon as possible with food.
- If you miss 2 or more doses of Orenitram, call your healthcare provider to see if you need to change your dose.
- If you take too much Orenitram, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
- You may see the tablet shell in your stools (bowel movements). This is usually normal. The tablet shell is not digested. If you have diverticulosis, the tablet shell may get stuck in a blind pouch or diverticulum in your intestine.
What are the possible side effects of Orenitram?
Orenitram can cause serious side effects, including worsening of PAH symptoms.
- Stopping Orenitram suddenly may cause worsening of your PAH symptoms. Do not change your dose or suddenly stop taking Orenitram without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- The most common side effects of Orenitram include headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flushing, and pain in arms, legs, and jaw. These are not all of the possible side effects of Orenitram. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
- Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.
What is Orenitram?
Orenitram is a prescription medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Orenitram can help slow down the progression of your disease and improve your ability to exercise. It is not known if Orenitram is safe and effective in children.
The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more about Orenitram, talk with your healthcare provider. Please see Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information at www.orenitram.com or call Customer Service at 1‑877‑UNITHER (1‑877‑864‑8437).




