Taking VENTAVIS (iloprost) with the
I-neb AAD Nebulizer
How is VENTAVIS taken?
VENTAVIS is inhaled through a special system called the I-neb® Adaptive Aerosol Delivery (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.
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 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.
To learn more about VENTAVIS and watch videos about using the I-neb AAD System, go to the Learning Center.
Read about:
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.
VENTAVIS® has not been studied in children younger than 18 years old.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What should I tell my doctor before taking VENTAVIS®?:
VENTAVIS® may not be right for you.
Before taking VENTAVIS®, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VENTAVIS® can harm your unborn baby. VENTAVIS® should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit to you is worth the possible risk to your baby.
- are breast-feeding. It is not known if VENTAVIS® passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take VENTAVIS® or breast feed.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
VENTAVIS® and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. VENTAVIS® may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how VENTAVIS® works.
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems
- medicines that lessen blood clotting (for example warfarin, Coumadin®, Jantoven®)
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take VENTAVIS®?
- Take VENTAVIS® exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
- You should not take VENTAVIS® more than every 2 hours. The benefits of VENTAVIS® may not last 2 hours, so you may adjust the times that you use it to cover planned activities.
- Do not drink VENTAVIS®.
- Do not let VENTAVIS® solution come into contact with your skin or eyes. If it does, rinse your skin or eyes with water right away.
- Do not allow other people to be exposed to VENTAVIS® while you are breathing it, especially babies.
- If you take too much VENTAVIS®, you may have a headache, red face, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If this happens stop taking VENTAVIS®. If your symptoms do not go away, call your doctor or get emergency help right away.
What are the most common 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 your 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.
Other important side effects of VENTAVIS® include:
- bleeding
- red face (flushing)
- increased cough
- low blood pressure
- headaches
- nausea
- spasm of your jaw muscles that makes it hard to open your mouth
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 healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for VENTAVIS® and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
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