warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Chronic intravenous infusions delivered using an external infusion pump with an indwelling central venous catheter are associated with the risk of blood stream infections (BSIs) and sepsis, which may be fatal. ( 5.1 ) Do not abruptly lower the dose or withdraw dosing. ( 5.2 ) Remodulin may cause symptomatic hypotension. ( 5.4 ) Remodulin inhibits platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Risk of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Chronic intravenous infusions of Remodulin delivered using an external infusion pump with an indwelling central venous catheter are associated with the risk of blood stream infections (BSIs) and sepsis, which may be fatal. Therefore, continuous subcutaneous infusion is the preferred mode of administration. In an open-label study of IV treprostinil (n=47) using an external infusion pump, there were seven catheter-related line infections during approximately 35 patient years, or about 1 BSI event per 5 years of use. A CDC survey of seven sites that used IV treprostinil for the treatment of PAH found approximately 1 BSI (defined as any positive blood culture) event per 3 years of use. Administration of IV Remodulin with a high pH glycine diluent has been associated with a lower incidence of BSIs when compared to neutral diluents (sterile water, 0.9% sodium chloride) when used along with catheter care guidelines. In an open-label study of an implantable pump (n=60), there were two blood stream infections (BSIs) related to the implant procedure during approximately 265 patient years. 5.2 Worsening PAH upon Abrupt Withdrawal or Sudden Large Dose Reduction Avoid abrupt withdrawal or sudden large reductions in dosage of Remodulin, which may result in worsening of PAH symptoms. 5.3 Patients with Hepatic Insufficiency Titrate Remodulin slowly in patients with hepatic insufficiency, because such patients will likely be exposed to greater systemic concentrations relative to patients with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) , Use in Specific Populations (8.6) , and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.4 Risk of Symptomatic Hypotension Treprostinil is a pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. In patients with low systemic arterial pressure, treatment with Remodulin may produce symptomatic hypotension. 5.5 Risk of Bleeding Remodulin inhibits platelet aggregation and in...