Tracleer and PPH What is Tracleer? Tracleer (bosentan) is an oral endothelin receptor antagonist, or ERA. It affects endothelin, a natural chemical in the body that plays an important role in the development of PPH. Although endothelin is present in healthy people, high concentrations of the hormone have been found in the plasma and lungs of patients with PPH suggesting it is capable of causing the disease. Tracleer works by reducing the high blood pressure in the lungs, thereby enabling the heart to pump blood more effectively. Tracleer is administered in simple pill form. Tracleer improves one's breathing and exercise capacity. In two research studies involving about 250 people, improvement in how far patients receiving Tracleer could was noticeable on average four weeks after beginning therapy and maximal by eight weeks. Tracleer comes with two significant concerns:
• The first is its liver toxicity and resulting potential for serious liver injury. Monitoring of the liver and its enzyme levels is essential for all patients prior to the start of treatment, and liver monitoring should be done monthly thereafter.
• The second is its high potential for major birth defects. Because of this, pregnant women must not be given Tracleer, and female patients of childbearing potential must take measures to prevent pregnancy. Oral, injected and implanted contraceptives may not be reliably effective, because Tracleer may alter the patient's metabolism in a way that reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, two forms of birth control are necessary. In addition, monthly pregnancy tests should be obtained.
|
