Here are a few useful tips to help make living with FLOLAN a little easier.
Many of these suggestions are adapted from information published by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). For additional information, please visit the PHA's website. Make sure to check with your doctor before attempting to implement these tips.
Protect your pump in cold weather
If you live in or visit very cold climates, it's important to protect the pump and the catheter. It is possible for the solution to freeze, which could be harmful.
Try not to spend too much time in the sun
Using FLOLAN can make you more sensitive to the effects of the sun. In addition, warming FLOLAN can make it less effective.
Don't check FLOLAN in your luggage
If you are traveling on a plane, carry FLOLAN and all your equipment with you. It is possible that your luggage could get lost or could get too hot or too cold if it is checked. When you go through security, let the officials know that you are wearing a pump, and that you have your medication with you or in your carry-on luggage.
Stay comfortable
Sometimes the catheter can tug a little during normal day-to-day activities. Some women have found that wrapping the tubing around the middle of their bra can reduce this motion. Another option is to use the clip from an ID badge holder—run the line through the clip, making sure not to obstruct the flow, and attach the clip to your collar.
Protecting your catheter and pump
It may help to make a small loop of tubing, called a safety loop, and tape it to your chest. Maintain the safety loop at all times, including while sleeping. This may help protect you and the catheter should your pump fall or if the tubing gets tugged. It is also important to keep the area around your catheter clean, to prevent infection. Using sterile technique to prepare FLOLAN can also help reduce the risk of infection. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to keep your pump, catheter, and the area around it clean, dry, and free from infection.
Nighttime use
It's good to keep the pump safe and near you when you go to sleep. You can hang it over your headboard or tuck it into your nightstand. Make sure your ice pack is able to stay cool through the night, and always do a safety loop in case you get up in the middle of the night.
INDICATION: FLOLAN is indicated for the long-term intravenous treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with the scleroderma spectrum of disease in NYHA Class III and Class IV patients who do not respond adequately to conventional therapy.
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: FLOLAN should not be used by patients with congestive heart failure due to severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. It should also not be used by patients who develop pulmonary edema, or fluid in their lungs, during the initiation of therapy.
Patients should not use FLOLAN if they have an allergy to the drug or similar compounds.
FLOLAN should only be mixed with STERILE DILUENT for FLOLAN. FLOLAN must not be mixed with any other medications or solutions prior to or during administration.
Any sudden interruption of therapy with FLOLAN, even for a brief period, may result in symptoms associated with rebound pulmonary hypertension, including difficulty breathing, dizziness, and a lack of energy. In severe cases, rebound pulmonary hypertension can lead to death.
FLOLAN can pose an increased risk for bleeding complications, particularly in people who have other risk factors for bleeding.
The most common side effects associated with FLOLAN include headache, jaw pain, flushing, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, flu-like symptoms, anxiety, and nervousness.
Serious adverse events have been reported during post-approval use of FLOLAN. These include bloodstream infection, anemia, overactivity and enlargement of the spleen, a reduction in red and white blood cells and platelets, and overactivity of the thyroid gland.
Some side effects that may be caused by excessive doses of FLOLAN include flushing, headache, low blood pressure, a rise in heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Over time, excessive doses of FLOLAN can also weaken the heart by causing it to pump too large a volume of blood.
Other side effects can occur and patients should let their healthcare professional know of any side effects that they are experiencing when on therapy with FLOLAN.
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