Peer Network

Welcome to the Peer Network

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About Us

United Therapeutics Corporation established the PEER Network in May 2007 to increase disease awareness and provide support for those living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), whether newly disagnosed or further along in treatment. The PEER Network is a program for anyone with PAH, regardless of the therapy you are currently using.

The PEER Network is voluntary. It is made up of PAH patients and caregivers, called PEER Mentors, who are experienced with Tyvaso® (treprostinil) Inhalation Solution and Remodulin® (treprostinil) Injection.

Visitors to the PEER Network who register to speak with a Mentor are referred to as Mentees. Mentees are typically PAH patients or caregivers who are new to a United Therapeutics Corporation treatment or are considering taking Tyvaso or Remodulin and are seeking support from someone who has been down a similar path. Mentees are not required to be on a United Therapeutics Corporation therapy in order to take advantage of the many benefits offered by the PEER Network.

The PEER Network allows for Mentors and Mentees to correspond by exchanging e-mails through a secure Web site or by having a private phone conversation.

Web site visitors might benefit from speaking with a Mentor if they are experiencing any of the following:

  • Considering a prostacyclin therapy
  • Considering Tyvaso or Remodulin therapy
  • New to Tyvaso or Remodulin therapy
  • Transitioning from Flolan® (epoprostenol sodium) to Remodulin
  • Switching from one route of administration of Remodulin to another
  • Recently diagnosed or providing care to someone who has been recently diagnosed with PAH, or who is new to Tyvaso or Remodulin.

The PEER Network is sponsored exclusively by United Therapeutics Corporation. It is managed by Health Advocacy Strategies™ (H.A.S.), a health communications company in Seattle, Washington. H.A.S. staffs the PEER Network and other similar programs that help empower people to share their personal disease and treatment experiences. H.A.S. staff members are not employees of United Therapeutics Corporation.

If you are interested in learning more about how the PEER Network program works, please see the FAQs. For more information you may contact the PEER Network at info@peernetwork.net or call 1-866-505-7337.

THE PEER NETWORK IS INTENDED FOR U.S. AUDIENCES ONLY. This PEER Network program and Web site are sponsored by United Therapeutics Corporation. Program participation, product copy and claims are intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names outside of the United States may be subject to different regulatory approvals and standards. If you are located outside of the United States, please consult with your local physician or pharmacy for information about Tyvaso® (treprostinil) Inhalation Solution or Remodulin® (treprostinil) Injection.

Reporting Adverse Events
Please note that this Web site does not collect or report adverse events. If you are taking Tyvaso or Remodulin and have experienced or are experiencing a potential adverse event, please inform your healthcare provider.

Tyvaso® (treprostinil) Inhalation Solution

INDICATION
Tyvaso is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1), which is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Tyvaso can improve exercise ability in people who also take bosentan (an endothelin receptor antagonist) or sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor). The effects decrease over 4 hours; treatment timing can be adjusted for planned activities.

Studies establishing effectiveness included predominately patients with NYHA Functional Class III symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (56%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (33%).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for Tyvaso

  • Tyvaso is breathed in (inhaled) through your mouth into your lungs. Tyvaso should only be used with the Tyvaso Inhalation System.
  • The effects of Tyvaso are unknown in patients with lung disease (such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and in patients under 18 years of age.
  • If you have low blood pressure, Tyvaso may cause symptomatic hypotension (low blood pressure).
  • Because Tyvaso reduces the ability of your blood to clot (coagulate), it may increase your risk for bleeding if you are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants), such as warfarin or heparin.
  • The use of Tyvaso with diuretics (water pills), antihypertensives (medications used to treat high blood pressure or heart disease), or other vasodilators (medications that lower blood pressure) may increase your risk for hypotension (low blood pressure).

Other medical conditions and medicines may affect your use of Tyvaso by increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing effectiveness. It is important to tell your doctor about your medical conditions and any medicines you may be taking, including:

  • If you are taking gemfibrozil (for high cholesterol) or rifampin (for infection), your Tyvaso dosage may need adjustment.
  • If you have liver or kidney problems, your ability to tolerate Tyvaso may be affected.
  • If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to become pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should take Tyvaso.

The most common side effects of Tyvaso are coughing, headache, throat irritation and pain, nausea, reddening of the face and neck (flushing), and fainting or loss of consciousness. These are not all the possible side effects of Tyvaso. Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or do not go away. Your doctor may be able to help you manage the side effects.

For additional information about Tyvaso, please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information, Patient Package Insert and the Tyvaso Inhalation System Instructions for Use manual, visit www.tyvaso.com, or call 1-877-864-8437.

Remodulin® (treprostinil) Injection

INDICATION
Remodulin is a prostacyclin vasodilator indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise. Studies establishing effectiveness included patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (58%), PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (23%), or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (19%). It may be administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion or continuous intravenous infusion; however, because of the risks associated with chronic indwelling central venous catheters, including serious blood stream infections, continuous intravenous infusion should be reserved for patients who are intolerant of the subcutaneous route, or in whom these risks are considered warranted.

In patients with PAH requiring transition from Flolan® (epoprostenol sodium), Remodulin is indicated to diminish the rate of clinical deterioration. The risks and benefits of each drug should be carefully considered prior to transition.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for Remodulin

  • Chronic intravenous infusions of Remodulin are delivered using an indwelling central venous catheter. This route is associated with the risk of blood stream infections (BSI) and sepsis, which may be fatal. Therefore, continuous subcutaneous infusion is the preferred mode of administration.
  • Remodulin should be used only by clinicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of PAH.
  • Remodulin is a potent pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. It lowers blood pressure, which may be further lowered by other drugs that also reduce blood pressure.
  • Remodulin inhibits platelet aggregation and therefore, may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in patients on anticoagulants.
  • Remodulin dosage adjustment may be necessary if inhibitors or inducers of CYP2C8 are added or withdrawn.
  • Initiation of Remodulin must be performed in a setting with adequate personnel and equipment for physiological monitoring and emergency care.
  • Therapy with Remodulin may be used for prolonged periods, and the patient’s ability to administer Remodulin and care for an infusion system should be carefully considered.
  • Remodulin dosage should be increased for lack of improvement in, or worsening of, symptoms and it should be decreased for excessive pharmacologic effects or for unacceptable infusion site symptoms.
  • Abrupt withdrawal or sudden large reductions in dosage of Remodulin may result in worsening of PAH symptoms and should be avoided.
  • Caution should be used in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency.
  • The most common side effects of Remodulin included those related to the method of infusion. For subcutaneous infusion, infusion site pain and infusion site reaction (redness and swelling) occurred in the majority of patients. These symptoms were often severe and could lead to treatment with narcotics or discontinuation of Remodulin. For intravenous infusion, line infections, sepsis, arm swelling, tingling sensations, bruising, and pain were most common. General side effects (>5% more than placebo) were diarrhea, jaw pain, vasodilatation and edema.

For additional information about Remodulin, please see the Full Prescribing information, visit http://www.remodulin.com, or call 1-877-864-8437.