Transcript

Cindy - Managing Expected Side Effects with Orenitram

My name is Cindy. I live in Jacksonville, Florida, and I'm an IT security manager.

A lot of times there's treatments and or condition issues that limit your life and things that you can't do because you have PAH, and when you finally get to reclaim some of those things back, it gives you hope again, because it's just such a rare thing with the disease that you have those opportunities. 

That first day was definitely, “What did I do? Was this the right decision? Please tell me this isn't going to be, how I feel every day going forward.”

It was only like that the first three days. By the fourth, fifth day, everything started to ease off. By the end of the first week, the headache was completely gone. And a few days after that, the stomach cramping was gone completely. And now the only side effects I occasionally experience is some rapid heart rate, with a little bit of a headache on very, very rare occasions.

The strategies I use to manage the side effects: One is to make sure that I eat a meal or eat something along with taking my medicine.

When you're taking the medication three times a day, sometimes it can be hard to find the right time. So I would try different things from jello and pudding, macaroni salad — things that weren't always necessarily heavy, because maybe I was having a snack at 2 p.m. in the afternoon when I just had a big lunch at noon. 

That I'm drinking some water, staying well hydrated. And just overall listening to my body that, you know, if I need to slow down just a little bit, take it easy until tell those side effects pass.

The advice that I would give somebody else would be to write down what you're doing. Identify the things that are helping you; identify the things that maybe aren't helping you. 

Look for message boards that are out there that other people may give you advice on what may help them, because those things may help you as you deal with those side effects. 

Set up timers on your phone as reminders to take your medicine, so that you don't miss a dose. 

And to, just take care of yourself. Take care of those side effects when you're having them. Treat them so that you feel better. Get the rest that you need.

I would recommend going to the Orenitram website. They have a lot of great info for the different food types, different snack ideas and things that you can try to help reduce side effects.

But listen to your body and go with those things that you find that help you and obviously stay away from the things that don’t.

These medications are helping. What the medication is doing as a vasodilator is opening up those arteries, and so it helps me know that I'm doing the right thing.

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).