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Article: Formulary implications of management of pulmonary arterial hypertension: part I--an overview of existing and new pharmacological treatment options.(CLINICAL interface)
- Article from:
- Managed Care Interface
- Article date:
- November 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Medicom International, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) represents a significant challenge to physicians, particularly because of its etiology and nonspecific presentation. Unfortunately, the majority of patients are not diagnosed until the condition is at an advanced stage. In this two-part White Paper from The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Society, prostanoids, administered as continuous intravenous or subcutaneous infusions, are the most effective treatments but are inconvenient and costly, owing to complex parenteral administration. The endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan and the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil are currently the only oral therapies licensed for PAH; however, ...