Study Materials » Pulmonary Hypertension Medications

Pulmonary Hypertension Medications

Let us learn about pulmonary hypertension medications and their treatment. Study the pulmonary hypertension medications list with a comparison of pulmonary hypertension medications.

The circulatory system consists of many arteries, veins, capillaries, etc. The blood pumped out of the heart is pumped with high pressure to reach all parts of the body. The arteries and the capillaries carry blood from the heart to the other parts of the body, and hence their walls constantly have to sustain high pressure. This could result in various disorders like pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension involves increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. The pulmonary hypertension medications help relieve the patient of pain, but there’s no cure.

Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is alternatively known as pulmonary arterial hypertension or Ayerza syndrome. The blood pressure in the arteries of the lung increases in pulmonary hypertension. The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath, chest pain, tiredness, and a fast heartbeat.

However, the cause of pulmonary hypertension is unknown. Mutations in several genes are associated with pulmonary hypertension. If the pulmonary mean arterial pressure is more than 25mmHg at rest or more than 30mmHg while exercising, that person has pulmonary hypertension. The risk factors for pulmonary hypertension include blood clothes in the lungs, cocaine use, family history, and living altitude.

Pulmonary hypertension does not have any cure as of now. However, research is ongoing. Many supportive measures make the patient’s life easy, like diuretics, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary hypertension medications to prevent blood clotting.

The mutual on set for pulmonary hypertension is from 20 to 60 years old.

It is a chronic disorder. These are five types of pulmonary hypertension.

The pulmonary hypertension medications include iloprost, macitentan, and sildenafil. When hypertension is severe, a lung transplant may also be required when hypertension is severe in certain cases. 

Pulmonary hypertension medications

Even though there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, medications can be used to ease patients’ lives and provide supportive care. Following is the list of the pulmonary hypertension medications.

  • Endothelin receptor antagonists

The endothelin receptor antagonists are pulmonary hypertension medications that work on reversing the endothelin effect. Endothelin is a substance that is naturally found in your blood. The presence of too much endothelin could slowly build upon the walls of your blood vessels. This results in narrowing of the blood vessels and causes pulmonary hypertension. The pulmonary hypertension medications of this kind are:

  • Macitentan
  • Bosentan
  • Ambrisentan 
  • Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators

The oral tablets named Adempas pulmonary hypertension medications of this kind. But this kind of medication possesses a greater threat; hence only a few pharmacies sell it. The major side effects of these drugs include bleeding in breathing passages and much lower blood pressure.

  • Digoxin

This pulmonary hypertension medication aids the heart to pump more effectively. Hence, more blood is pumped out of the heart, which leads to more blood being transported to your lungs.

  • Calcium channel blockers

Some examples of calcium channel blockers are nifedipine and Amlodipine.

A few patients with pulmonary hypertension have experienced beneficial results from high doses of calcium channel blockers. The calcium channel blockers relax the walls of the blood vessels. This promotes more blood flow through your body, and hence more blood is transported to your lungs.

  • Anticoagulants

PeoplePeople who suffer from pulmonary hypertension possess a great risk of blood clots in their lungs. The pulmonary hypertension medications called anticoagulants are blood-thinning agents that prevent blood clots from forming. Anticoagulants also stop the blocking of small pulmonary arteries due to blood clots. A medicine named Warfarin is an example of an anticoagulant.

Comparison of pulmonary hypertension medications

Various types of medications are used to treat pulmonary hypertension. Advantages, disadvantages, side-effects, and effectiveness are some of the parameters they can be compared.

  • Anticoagulants:

Anticoagulants are highly effective and can effectively prevent blood clots in the lungs. However, the side effect of anticoagulants is excessive bleeding in case of injury or cut. Some changes are recommended to prevent dangerous interactions.

  • Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators

The pulmonary high potential medications of this kind are easier to consume since they are mostly oral tablets; however, they are highly risky; hence only a few pharmacies sell them.

  • Endothelin receptor antagonists

They are pretty popular pulmonary hypertension medications; however, their side effects include anaemia and swelling.

Conclusion:

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs increases. This results in test pain, swelling of the legs, and tiredness. The causes of pulmonary hypertension are unknown in most cases. There is no for pulmonary hypertension; however, pulmonary hypertension medications could be used to support patients. Anticoagulants are blood thinners that prevent blood clots in pulmonary arteries. Selexipag is an oral tablet to treat pulmonary hypertension. Endothelin receptor antagonists reward the effect of in the telling, which are natural substances present in the blood.

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