Selexipag Injection
Selexipag injection is used in adults who are taking selexipag tablets to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, high blood pressure in the vessels that carry blood to the lungs) but are temporarily unable to take medications by mouth. Selexipag injection is in a class of medications called selective nonprostanoid IP prostacyclin receptor agonists. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs to allow blood to flow easily.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Selexipag injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually injected slowly over 80 minutes by a doctor or a nurse. It is usually given twice a day for as long as you are unable to take selexipag tablets by mouth.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
🔔 Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
🔔 What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking selexipag injection,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to selexipag, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in selexipag injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking gemfibrozil (Lopid). Your doctor may tell you not to take selexipag injection if you are taking this medication.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: clopidogrel (Plavix), deferasirox (Exjade, Ferriprox, Jadenu), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and teriflunomide (Aubagio). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with selexipag injection, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD; blockage of veins in the lungs), thyroid problems, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving selexipag injection, call your doctor.
🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
🔔 What side effects can this medication cause?
Selexipag injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, discoloration, itching, or bruising of the skin where selexipag was injected
- headache
- pain in jaw, joints, muscles, arms, or legs
- decreased appetite
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- flushing
- rash
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- shortness of breath
- rapid breathing
- dizziness
- weakness
Selexipag injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
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If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
🔔 What other information should I know?
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.