Selexipag
About Selexipag
Selexipag is a prescription medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to your lungs. By targeting this condition, the medicine helps to slow down the progression of this serious heart and lung disease and reduces the risk of needing hospital treatment. It is designed to help you maintain your physical abilities and improve long-term outcomes.
You will typically take this medicine twice daily, and it is highly important to take it consistently at the exact same times every day to keep a steady amount of the medicine in your bloodstream. You can take this medication with or without food; however, taking your doses with meals can make some common stomach-related side effects much easier to tolerate. Combining this medical treatment with doctor-approved lifestyle adjustments, such as adopting a low-sodium diet and engaging in light physical activity, can significantly support your treatment results.
While taking Selexipag, you may experience common, manageable side effects such as headaches, jaw pain, flushing, or nausea as your body adjusts to the therapy. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe symptoms, such as sudden and severe worsening of shortness of breath, rapid swelling of your feet or legs, or signs of an allergic reaction. Monitoring how you feel and maintaining open communication with your healthcare team is key to a safe treatment experience.
Before starting Selexipag, it is essential to discuss your medical history with your doctor, especially if you have a history of liver disease, kidney issues, or thyroid problems. Do not take this medicine if you have severe liver damage, as your body will not be able to process the medication safely. Your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits to ensure this medicine is appropriate for your specific health profile.
This medicine can interact with other substances, which may alter how it works or increase your risk of severe side effects. For example, taking certain medicines used to treat high cholesterol or other blood conditions can cause Selexipag to build up to dangerous levels in your body. It is also important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are caring for an elderly patient who may require extra monitoring during treatment.
Uses of Selexipag
Medicinal Benefits
Selexipag helps manage pulmonary arterial hypertension by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs and improving blood flow. With regular use as prescribed, it helps reduce symptoms, improve exercise capacity, and slow the progression of the disease.
- Improves Breathing and Physical Activity: By lowering the pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs, this medicine reduces the workload on the heart, helping relieve shortness of breath and allowing you to perform daily activities more comfortably.
- Slows Disease Progression: Regular treatment helps delay the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension, preserving physical function and supporting better long-term heart and lung health.
- Reduces the Risk of Hospitalisation: By helping keep the condition stable and improving overall cardiovascular function, this medicine lowers the risk of complications that may require emergency hospital admission and supports a better quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Take Selexipag with food to reduce stomach upset.
- Recommended to take twice a day or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Selexipag
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
- Muscle or joint pain
- Flushing (warmth or redness in your face or neck)
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Sudden difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath
- Rapid swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs (fluid retention)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, and throat
- Yellowing of your eyes or skin, dark urine, or severe upper stomach pain (signs of potential liver damage)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not stop taking Selexipag abruptly: Stopping this medicine suddenly can cause your pulmonary arterial hypertension to worsen very quickly, which can be life-threatening. Always consult your doctor before making any changes.
- Expect a gradual dose adjustment: Your dose will be increased slowly over several weeks. If you experience bothersome side effects like jaw pain or headaches during this period, contact your doctor for advice rather than stopping the medication.
- Watch for signs of low blood pressure: Because this medicine widens blood vessels, it can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when you stand up. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to prevent falls.
- Keep a complete medicine list: Always share a full list of your prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements with your doctor and pharmacist to check for potential drug interactions.
- Regularly inspect your limbs: Visually check your feet, ankles, and calves daily for any signs of new or worsening swelling, as fluid retention is a common issue that requires medical evaluation.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP2C8 Inhibitors (such as gemfibrozil): Taking these medicines alongside Selexipag can significantly slow down how your body clears this medication. This can cause the drug to build up to unsafe levels in your blood, greatly increasing the risk and severity of side effects.
- CYP2C8 Inducers (such as rifampin): These medications can speed up how quickly your body breaks down Selexipag, which can make your treatment much less effective at managing your lung blood pressure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known whether Selexipag interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeSelexipag is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult the doctor if you become pregnant during treatment with Selexipag.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not known if Selexipag passes into breast milk. Selexipag is not recommended during lactation.
Driving
cautionSelexipag may cause headaches and low blood pressure, affecting your ability to drive. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionSelexipag is not recommended for patients with severe liver impairment. Dose adjustment may be needed in people with moderate hepatic impairment. Consult the doctor if you have liver problems.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Selexipag in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeSelexipag is not recommended for use in children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reduce your salt intake: Consuming too much sodium causes your body to hold onto extra water, which puts additional strain on your heart and lungs. Avoid processed foods and do not add salt to your meals.
- Monitor your fluids: Ask your doctor if you need to limit your daily fluid intake. Restricting liquids can help prevent fluid accumulation in your lungs and limbs.
- Weigh yourself daily: Stand on the scale at the same time every morning. A sudden weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds in a single day, or 5 pounds in a week, can indicate dangerous fluid buildup and should be reported to your doctor immediately.
- Engage in safe, light exercise: Gentle physical activities like walking can improve your cardiovascular health. Always consult your doctor to determine what level of exercise is safe for you, and avoid heavy lifting or high-intensity workouts.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke: Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases the amount of oxygen in your blood, which directly worsens pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Special Advise
- Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraceptives while on treatment with Selexipag.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): PAH is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary artery). It occurs due to narrowed or blocked blood vessels, which increases the workload on the heart. Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling in the legs and ankles.
FAQs
Selexipag is used to treat Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Selexipag relaxes the blood vessels in the lungs and allows the blood to flow easily. Thereby, it relieves the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension and slows down its progression.
Selexipag should not be stopped on your own, even if you feel well. It helps control the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and slows its progression, but it does not cure the condition. Continue taking Selexipag for as long as prescribed by your doctor. If you wish to stop treatment or have concerns about long-term use, consult your doctor for guidance.
Selexipag should be used with caution in patients older than 75 years as there is limited experience in this age group. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Let the doctor know if you are taking gemfibrozil, a medicine used to lower fat levels in the blood. If you are taking gemfibrozil, your doctor may tell you not to take Selexipag.
No, you must always swallow Selexipag tablets whole with a glass of water. Crushing, chewing, or splitting the tablets can alter how the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream and may increase your risk of experiencing side effects. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
Jaw pain and headaches are common side effects as your body adjusts to the blood vessels widening. Taking your dose with food can often help reduce these symptoms. If the discomfort is severe or does not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe over-the-counter pain relievers you can use.
It is highly recommended to avoid or limit alcohol while taking Selexipag. Alcohol can relax your blood vessels further, which may cause your blood pressure to drop too low and worsen side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, and flushing. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
There is limited clinical information on the safety of Selexipag during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you must discuss the potential risks and benefits in detail with your doctor before taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor to explore the safest options for you and your baby.
If you miss taking Selexipag for three or more consecutive days, do not simply resume taking your usual dose. Stopping the medication for this long can cause your condition to worsen. You must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to receive safe, step-by-step instructions on how to restart your medication.
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