Escalating Oral Treprostinil Dose With Intravenous Treprostinil Bridging Therapy

Cureus. 2024 Feb 14;16(2):e54184. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54184. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Oral treprostinil, approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, remains an attractive option in combination with other medications to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity. However, patients are often challenged with the ability to overcome adverse effects as outpatients and reach effective doses in a timely manner. We describe a case of a 47-year-old female on oral treprostinil who presented to the clinic with worsening symptoms of disease, necessitating higher dosing. This patient was previously uptitrated outpatient with oral treprostinil, which had allowed her to remain stable for years. Once uptitrated with additional intravenous therapy, the oral treprostinil dose was gradually further increased to the new goal dosage, resulting in improvements in symptoms and right ventricular function. This case highlights the versatility of dose optimization of oral treprostinil with rapid bridging through intravenous therapy.

Keywords: clinical pharmacokinetics; primary pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary arterial hypertension; pulmonary vascular disease; right-sided heart failure; treprostinil.

Publication types

  • Case Reports