Table 1.
Comparison of treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension with regard to drug characteristics [9]
| Medication | Class | Route of administration | Comments | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remodulin®(treprostinil) | Prostacyclin | Subcutaneous or IV infusion dose-titrated | Patient must carry pump at all times. | $100,000+ |
| Folan®(epoprostenol) | Prostacyclin | IV infusion dose-titrated | Patient must carry pump with ice at all times and mix under sterile conditions | $50,000–150,000 |
| Tracleer®(bosentan) | Dual Endothelin Receptor Antagonist |
Oral, twice daily | Twice –daily pill; patients must undergo monthly liver monitoring. | $35,000 |
| Ventavis®(inhaled iloprost) | Prostacyclin | Inhaled, 6–9 times daily | 6–9 inhalation – each one taking 15–20 minutes. | $50,000 |
| Revalto®(sildenafil) | Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor |
Oral, thrice daily | Thrice daily pill | $15,000–20,000 |
| Inhaled Remodulin®(treprostinil) | Prostacyclin | Inhaled | Four daily inhalations | N/A |
| Cialis®(tadalafil) | Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor |
Oral, once daily | Once daily pill | N/A |