EPOPROSTENOL SODIUM
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common questions about . It does not contain all the information that is known about . It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What FLOLAN is used for
FLOLAN is used to treat some types of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is characterised by high blood pressure in the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs, and increased resistance in the blood vessels of the lung. The cause of PAH is not known however there are a number of diseases such as scleroderma that are associated with PAH. FLOLAN belongs to a group of medicines called prostaglandins.
FLOLAN works by widening the blood vessels in the lungs and so lowering the blood pressure in your lungs (known as a vasodilator action).
Your doctor may have prescribed FLOLAN for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why FLOLAN has been prescribed for you.
FLOLAN is not addictive.
Before you use FLOLAN
When you must not use it
Do not use FLOLAN if you have ever had an allergic reaction to epoprostenol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe. They usually include some or all of the following: wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash ("hives") or fainting.
Do not use FLOLAN if you have heart disease with shortness of breath, and swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid build-up.
Do not use FLOLAN after the expiry date [EXP.] printed on the pack.
If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not use FLOLAN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you're not sure whether you should be using FLOLAN, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast-feeding.
you are taking any medicine to prevent blood clots, such as heparin, warfarin, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory pain killers (NSAIDs).
you are taking any medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure, or a group of medicines known as nitrates that are used to treat angina.
you are taking digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure.
you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may affect the way others work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when using FLOLAN with other medicines.
How to use FLOLAN
FLOLAN will be given as an intravenous infusion only, normally through a permanently fitted intravenous catheter (during initial treatment a 'peripheral line' may be used which is a non-permanent catheter). Before FLOLAN is used, it must be dissolved only in the specific DILUENT supplied with FLOLAN.
How much to use
Initial treatment with FLOLAN will be carried out in a hospital. Your doctor will start you on an infusion and slowly increase the dose (every 15 minutes) to find the most effective or largest dose you can tolerate. During this part of the treatment you will also learn about how your body reacts to FLOLAN.
Your doctor will then continue the infusion based on this dose, and may increase or decrease your infusion rate depending on your response to the treatment. All changes should be done gradually and under the direction of a doctor, except in emergency situations.
If you develop pulmonary oedema (water on the lungs) during this time, your doctor may choose not to treat you with FLOLAN.
How to use it
Your FLOLAN infusion will be given to you as continuous intravenous infusion only, normally through a permanently fitted intravenous catheter through a pump. There are only certain pumps which can be used. Your doctor will make sure you are using the right one.
Your doctor or nurse will have shown you how to keep your catheter clean, and the area around it clean and free from infection. They will also show you how to prepare and administer FLOLAN and how to stop treatment if necessary. It is very important you follow their instructions carefully.
The DILUENT contains no preservative. Use a vial once only and then discard.
How long to use it
Use FLOLAN for as long as your doctor advises you to. FLOLAN is generally used over a prolonged period of time, possibly years. It should not be stopped suddenly. Symptoms of suddenly stopping FLOLAN include dizziness, weakness and difficulty breathing.
If you use too much (overdose)
As FLOLAN has vasodilatory action, overdose may lead to low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, facial flushing, headache and fast heart beat.
In hospital, the effects of FLOLAN are monitored carefully by your doctor. In the unlikely event that you receive too much, appropriate action, such as reducing the dose can be taken promptly.
If you are using FLOLAN at home and you think you have used too much, immediately telephone your doctor or the nearest hospital casualty department, even if there are no signs of discomfort. You may need urgent medical attention
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
While you are using FLOLAN
Things you must do
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are using FLOLAN if you are about to start on any new medicines.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Things you must not do
Do not stop using or change the dose without first checking with your doctor.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use FLOLAN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Things to be careful of
As with many other medicines, FLOLAN may cause dizziness/drowsiness/tiredness in some people.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how FLOLAN affects you. If you are affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
Side-Effects
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking FLOLAN, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, FLOLAN can cause side effects in some people.
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to FLOLAN while you are receiving it, TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Symptoms usually include some or all of the following:
wheezing
swelling of the lips/mouth
difficulty in breathing
hay fever
lumpy rash ("hives")
fainting
Tell your doctor at once if you experience any of the following while you are receiving FLOLAN:
fever
fatigue
chills/flu-like symptoms
facial flushing or paleness
fast heart beat
shortness of breath
diarrhoea
feeling or being sick
wind or tummy discomfort
anxiety, nervousness and agitation
dizziness, especially on standing
headaches
decreased or increased feeling or sensitivity, especially in the skin
tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
chest pain and tightness
reddening and pain at the infusion site
sweating
jaw, muscle and/or back pain
Bleeding : any bleeding can be serious, if this occurs you should contact your doctor
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.
This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side-effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.
Ask your doctor if you don't understand anything in this list.
FLOLAN may affect your blood sugar levels, heart rate or blood pressure during infusion. Your doctor will monitor these.
It is very important to keep the area around the intravenous catheter clean, otherwise infection of the skin at the site of injection may result, which can then spread into your blood (known as septicaemia).
During administration of FLOLAN the intravenous catheter may become blocked. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if this happens.
Storing FLOLAN
Storage
Keep this medicine where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep FLOLAN powder and DILUENT in a cool, dry place where it stays below 25°C. Protect from light by keeping them in their cartons until use.
Do not store FLOLAN powder or DILUENT in a bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave them in the car or on window sills.
Do not freeze FLOLAN powder and DILUENT at any time.
Once FLOLAN powder has been dissolved with the diluent, if any of this infusion solution is not used, it should be used as soon as practicable. If storage is necessary, keep at 2°C - 8°C for not more than 24 hours.
If you have a 'cold pouch' with your infusion pump, then FLOLAN may be used over a 24 hour period as long as the cold pouch is changed as necessary throughout the day. Only use a cold pouch which can keep the temperature of FLOLAN below 15°C.
Do not freeze FLOLAN at any time.
Product description
What FLOLAN looks like
FLOLAN is a sterile white to off-white powder supplied with or without DILUENT in the following pack presentations:
0.5 mg vial of epoprostenol with 1 vial of DILUENT and a filter.
0.5 mg vial of epoprostenol with 2 vials of DILUENT and a filter.
0.5 mg vial of epoprostenol only.
1.5 mg vial of epoprostenol with 1 vial of DILUENT and a filter.
1.5 mg vial of epoprostenol with 2 vials of DILUENT and a filter.
1.5 mg vial of epoprostenol only.
Ingredients
FLOLAN contains the active ingredient epoprostenol, as the sodium salt. It also contains glycine, sodium chloride, mannitol and sodium hydroxide.
The DILUENT for FLOLAN contains glycine, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and Water for Injections.
Manufacturer
FLOLAN is supplied by:
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
1061 Mountain Highway
Boronia Victoria 3155
Australia.
Further Information
Pharmaceutical companies are not in a position to give people an individual diagnosis or medical advice. Your doctor or pharmacist is the best person to give you advice on the treatment of your condition. You may also be able to find general information about your disease and its treatment from books, for example in public libraries.
Do not throw this leaflet away.
You may need to read it again.
This leaflet was prepared on 25 June 2009
The information provided applies only to: FLOLAN® for Injection.
®FLOLAN is a registered trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
FLOLAN 0.5 mg with 1 vial of DILUENT: AUST R 80342
FLOLAN 0.5 mg with 2 vials of DILUENT: AUST R 80342
FLOLAN 0.5 mg: AUST R 80340
FLOLAN 1.5 mg with 1 vial of DILUENT: AUST R 80343
FLOLAN 1.5 mg with 2 vials of DILUENT: AUST R 80343
FLOLAN 1.5 mg: AUST R 80341
©2003 GlaxoSmithKline
Version 2.0
