Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Selexipag is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is also known as a selective prostacyclin (IP) agonist that lowers the pressure in the pulmonary arteries (the blood vessels that transfer oxygen-poor blood from the heart and into the lungs ) by mimicking the effects of a natural substance, prostacyclin. In doing so, this medication relaxes and widens the pulmonary arteries. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood through the pulmonary arteries.

This medication is used to improve symptoms such as feeling breathless and increase your ability to exercise. It is also used to slow down the worsening of your condition.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
  • If you stop taking this medication for any reason for more than three consecutive days, inform your doctor immediately as your dose may need to be adjusted to avoid side effects.
• You may take this medication with some water. This medication can be taken either with or without food, but you should do so consistently each day. Do not crush or cut this medication.
• There are two phases of treatment with this medication to find the right dose for you.
  • Titration phase – in the first few weeks, you will work with your healthcare professional to find the most suitable dose for you. Your dose may be increased step-wise to a higher dose to let your body adjust to the medicine slowly until the most tolerable dose for you is reached. Each step usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks. Start the first dose of Selexipag or newly-adjusted dose in the evening.
  • Maintenance phase – once your healthcare professional has found the right dose for you, take this dose on a regular basis.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 6 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • As this medication may cause birth defects, female patients of childbearing age should take precautions by using at least 2 reliable methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy. If you suspect you may be pregnant, inform your doctor as soon as possible.
• You have or have had liver or kidney disease
• You have problems with your thyroid gland
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

What are some common side effects of this medication?

These side effects may be minimized by starting with a lower dose and usually improve or go away with time. Your doctor may also provide you with medications to help with some side effects. Possible side effects include:

• Headache
• Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Jaw pain, muscle, joint or leg pain
• Facial redness (flushing)
• Stuffy nose
• Rash
• Dizziness and light-headedness

Inform your healthcare professional if any side effect is bothersome to you or does not go away, as it might indicate that a lower dose is needed

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Some medications may interact with Selexipag and affect their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. However, these medications may also be important for your treatment. Examples include:

• Certain medications for cholesterol lowering (e.g. Gemfibrozil)
• Certain antibiotics used to treat infections

Speak to your pharmacist regarding any other medications (including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies) that you are currently taking and any changes to your medications.

Consult your healthcare professional if you are unsure whether your existing medications can be taken together with this medication.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on June 2023