Transcript

Cindy - Transitioning from Remodulin to Orenitram

My name is Cindy. I'm, a PAH patient and have been for nearly 20 years at this time. I've been on Remodulin and pills over the course of those 20 years.

Being tethered to a pump can be very difficult, and typically comes with such side effects that are just very difficult to deal with on a day to day basis.

And so in order to kind of get away from that pain and be able to do something, a little differently, be able to do something like swimming or have a little more freedom and not be tied to the pump, I was really interested in moving to the pill form.

My doctor and I spoke about moving to, you know, Orenitram. One of the first items that we discussed was based on the dosage of Remodulin that I was on, whether there was a dosage that I could be on for the Orenitram. 

And one of the deciding factors was Orenitram, it could have a dose that was high enough, so that I wasn't having to drop down in dosage and potentially have a condition worsen.

We’ve looked at you know my heart functions, my heart cath, echos, and I’ve been stable for the last several years. I was also doing well enough via my heart caths showing that I was doing better in order to support it, and he felt that I was able to make that transition without it being a problem for me or for my condition.

When I met with my doctor, we had a great conversation. We sat in his office, talking together about the options and how the medication switch would work. The questions that I had were mainly around side effects.

The side effects that he told me that the medication would have, that the, the main ones were headache and stomach upset.

The first couple of days, the side effects were bad enough, the headache and stomach cramping, that I questioned a little bit, “Did I make the right choice?”

But it quickly disappeared and got better and better each day with the headache going away first and then the stomach cramping going away by the time the second week came along.

When I started my transition, first, my doctor was very supportive. They called and checked on me each day, made sure I was doing well, made sure I was handling the side effects.

As far as UT, I was able to get a lot of patient documentation that I was able to read and ensure that the things that I was feeling and experiencing were completely normal and expected for the medication.

I'm feeling better. Able to go do the things that I've been prevented from doing for the last several years. I’m not dreading a site change.

For a new patient starting with the medication, I would first suggest that they speak with their doctor, see if they are a candidate. You know, to be prepared to not necessarily feel the best those first few days.

I felt pretty rough, especially for the first 3 or 4 days. And then after that, I got to where I was feeling better much quicker.

It made me feel like I had hope again.

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).