Taking Ventavis (iloprost) with the I-neb AAD

How is Ventavis taken?

Ventavis is inhaled through a special system called the I-neb AAD System, which is compact, portable, and lightweight. The I-neb AAD System is small—about the size of a box of kitchen matches—and it has an internal rechargeable battery like a cell phone, so you can take your medication almost anywhere at any time. Ventavis should be inhaled as your doctor prescribes, usually 6-9 times a day, but not more often than every 2 hours.1

What does AAD stand for?

Adaptive Aerosol Delivery.

  • The word "Adaptive" is important because it means that this system adjusts to fit your breathing pattern each time you use it. It releases the medicine (as a mist) only when you breathe in. This helps you get exactly the right dose every time.2
  • "Aerosol" means fine mist.

Why is Ventavis inhaled?

Inhaling Ventavis gets it right to the lungs—the site of the disease. There are other ways to deliver medications like Ventavis into the body that require pumps, needles, and catheters.

Can I take Ventavis only with the I-neb AAD System?

Ventavis must be taken with the I-neb AAD System because it is the only system approved by the FDA and available for use with Ventavis. This special hand-held system turns Ventavis liquid medicine into a fine mist (or "aerosol") that you breathe in.2 Its advanced technology provides direct-to-lung delivery of Ventavis.

A high-tech hand-held system

The I-neb AAD System has been developed with high-tech features so that it:

  • Adjusts to fit your breathing pattern each time you use it (unlike other nebulizers that make you adjust when and how you breathe)2
  • Produces a fine mist2 that can reach into the tiny airways throughout the lungs
  • Makes sure dosing is accurate every time you take Ventavis2
  • Records treatment information to help your doctor follow your progress

Hand carrying case

The I-neb AAD System is compact, portable, and comes with a convenient over-the-shoulder carrying case, making your treatments accessible and easy when you're on the go.

Learning how to use the I-neb AAD System

After you receive your Ventavis prescription and I-neb AAD System from your specialty pharmacy, they will schedule a meeting between you and a Ventavis-trained nurse educator. The nurse educator will meet with you (either at home or in your doctor's office) to show you how to take your Ventavis treatments, and how to use and clean the I-neb AAD System:

  • Each treatment should take about 4-10 minutes.
  • If you notice that your treatments are starting to take longer than usual, call your specialty pharmacy to ask for help
  • Or you can call Actelion's Patient Services Department. Our team of Registered Nurses and Respiratory Therapists will be glad to help answer your questions and get you back on track. Call 1-866-ACTELION (1-866-228-3546) Monday through Friday, 12 pm–8 pm (ET)/9 am–5 pm (PT). When prompted, press #6 and enter 814008.

To learn more about Ventavis and watch videos about using the I-neb AAD System, go to the Learning Center.

Read about:

*Patient Indication and Important Safety Information

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*What is Ventavis?

Ventavis is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with certain kinds of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition in which blood pressure is too high in the blood vessels between the heart and the lungs. Ventavis may improve your ability to exercise and your symptoms for a short time by lowering your blood pressure and opening up the blood vessels in your lungs.

  • In the key clinical study, Ventavis showed clinical improvement as defined by 3 specific measurements: ability to exercise as measured by the 6-minute walk test, symptoms (NYHA Functional Class), and decrease in the worsening of PAH symptoms.
  • Ventavis is a medication you breathe in through a special device called the I-neb Adaptive Aerosol Delivery (AAD) System.

The study showing Ventavis is effective included mainly patients with NYHA Functional Class III-IV PAH. In these patients, PAH was caused by unidentified or hereditary factors (65%) or connective tissue diseases (23%).

Ventavis has not been studied in children younger than 18 years old.

What is the most important information I should know about Ventavis?

Ventavis may not be right for you. Before taking Ventavis, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have liver or kidney problems; are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant; or are breast-feeding. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems or medicines that lessen blood clotting (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven). Ventavis and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.

What are the possible side effects of Ventavis?

  • Ventavis may cause side effects, including feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and faint. If you have any of these side effects, you should stand up slowly when you get out of chairs or bed. Tell your doctor if your fainting gets worse during treatment with Ventavis. Your doctor may need to change your dose or treatment.
  • Do not drive a car or operate any tools or machines if dizziness or fainting from low blood pressure is a problem for you.
  • You may have trouble breathing after taking Ventavis, because it may cause the muscles around your airway to tighten (bronchospasm). Get emergency help right away if you have trouble breathing.
  • The most common side effects of Ventavis include red face (flushing), increased cough, low blood pressure, headaches, nausea, spasm of your jaw muscles that makes it hard to open your mouth, and fainting.

Talk to your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Ventavis. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information

For more information about Ventavis, please call 1-866-ACTELION (1-866-228-3546).