Finding the Best PAH Treatment: 6 Facts To Know | myPHteam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About myPHteam
Powered By

Finding the Best PAH Treatment: 6 Facts To Know

Medically reviewed by Steven C. Pugliese, M.D.
Updated on December 29, 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is high blood pressure of the arteries that take blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. PAH is a progressive disease that worsens over time, but treatment can slow its progression and improve both life expectancy and quality of life.

Treatment varies based on the type of PAH, symptoms, severity of symptoms, and other diseases or health conditions a person may have. Researchers have observed that factors like age, sex, race, and ethnicity play a role in which PAH medications people are prescribed and how effective treatments are.

Read on to learn six facts about PAH treatment and help educate yourself if you or a loved one has PAH.

1. Current Treatment Options Can Reduce Symptoms but Not Cure PAH

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications to treat the symptoms of PAH, a rare but serious disease that can quickly worsen. Currently, there is no cure for PAH, but treatment can slow the disease and help decrease symptoms.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension causes blood vessels in the lungs to narrow, raising blood pressure in the lungs and making the right side of the heart work harder. PAH medications increase blood flow and reduce stress placed on the heart’s right ventricle. (Adobe Stock)

Medications for PAH work as vasodilators, which means they help relax and open the blood vessels that run from the heart to the lungs. This helps increase blood flow and reduce stress placed on the heart — specifically, the right ventricle.

The Three Pathways of PAH Medications

PAH medications work through three main pathways in the body and involve one of the following chemicals: prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide. Treatment differs based on individual circumstances, so each person needs to work closely with their doctor to find out which medication suits them best.

2. Some PAH Treatments Target the Prostacyclin Pathway

The inner layer of all blood vessels in the body is made up of cells called vascular endothelial cells. These produce a chemical called prostacyclin, which connects to a receptor on the smooth muscle of all blood vessels.

Prostacyclin connects to this receptor much like how a key fits into the lock of a door. Once this connection is made, multiple chemicals interact, leading the smooth muscle to relax. This relaxation of smooth muscle enlarges the opening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the entire body.

People with PAH do not make enough prostacyclin, so drugs that work on this pathway help balance this deficiency.

Drugs that mimic prostacyclin cause blood vessels in the body to enlarge (systemic vasodilation). Health care professionals consider this group of medications to work well for the high blood pressure that accompanies PAH, but these drugs can have side effects. Drugs that work on this pathway are often doctors’ first choice for treating the most severe forms of PAH.

Medications That Work via the Prostacyclin Pathway

In the United States, four primary medications for PAH mimic prostacyclin. All four need careful dose monitoring by a doctor:

  • Epoprostenol (Flolan or Veletri) is administered intravenously.
  • Treprostinil (Tyvaso) can be inhaled, given intravenously, or taken as a pill.
  • Selexipag (Uptravi) is swallowed as a tablet.
  • Iloprost (Ventavis) is inhaled.

3. Other PAH Treatments Work on the Nitric Oxide Pathway

The inner layer of vascular cells in all blood vessels of the body makes nitric oxide. Nitric oxide opens blood vessels, which is important for controlling blood pressure. When the inner layer of a blood vessel makes nitric oxide, the molecule travels to the smooth muscle and relaxes it. This allows blood vessels to open up and increases blood flow.

People with PAH have low levels of nitric oxide in their lungs. This deficiency adds to the tightening of the arteries leading to the lungs, creating the high blood pressure and increased risk of blood clots seen in PAH.

In addition, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) lives in the walls of all blood vessels. The job of PDE-5 is to block the effect of nitric oxide.

When PDE-5 blocks the effect of nitric oxide in a person with PAH — who already have too little nitric oxide in the blood vessels of their lungs — it becomes even harder for their body to relax the blood vessels that run from the heart to the lungs.

Medications that work on this pathway to block PDE-5 are known as PDE-5 inhibitors. A PDE-5 inhibitor allows the body’s nitric oxide to work more effectively to relax the blood vessels. Researchers have noted that doctors’ prescribing patterns for PDE-5 inhibitors may differ based on a person’s type of PAH, ethnicity, and race.

Nitric oxide also turns on another enzyme called soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). This enzyme helps increase blood flow in the entire body by causing vasodilation of all blood vessels. Medications that serve as sGC stimulators help the body make more nitric oxide, thus decreasing PAH symptoms.

Medications That Work via the Nitric Oxide Pathway

Three main PDE-5 inhibitors help the body benefit from nitric oxide:

  • Sildenafil (Revatio) is available as either a tablet or an oral suspension for adults.
  • Tadalafil (Adcirca) comes in a tablet for adults.
  • Vardenafil is not approved to treat PAH, but some studies show that it may improve the symptoms of PAH.

There is only one sGC stimulator approved by the FDA for PAH: Adempas, a formulation of riociguat, which is taken in tablet form.

4. The Final Group of PAH Drugs Affects the Endothelin Pathway

Endothelin is a molecule made in the inner layer of all vascular cells in the body. From there, endothelin travels to the deeper smooth muscle cells, leading to the narrowing of the blood vessels. People with PAH have too much endothelin, causing the blood vessels of their lungs to narrow too much.

Medications that counteract the effect of endothelin are called endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs). Because ERAs block endothelin, this group of medications helps promote relaxation of the blood vessels for people with PAH. Researchers have found some differences in ERA treatment effectiveness based on a person’s sex and race.

Medications That Work via the Endothelin Pathway

Currently, three medications approved for PAH work on the endothelin pathway. All are available as tablets:

    5. PAH Severity Determines the Choice of Medication

    Doctors prescribe different PAH medications based on the severity of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established four functional classes of PAH:

    • Class 1 — People with PAH who have no limits on their physical activity
    • Class 2 — People with PAH that causes a slight restriction to physical activity
    • Class 3 — People with PAH who experience moderate limits on physical activity
    • Class 4 — People with PAH who experience symptoms whether they are active or at rest

    Determining the Best Treatment

    Doctors will initially perform acute pulmonary vasodilator testing on someone with PAH. This test allows a doctor to check if the lung arteries quickly relax in response to specific vasodilating medications.

    If a person’s lung arteries relax and open up in response to this test, the doctor may prescribe a calcium-channel blocker (CCB) depending on the severity of PAH. If the CCB keeps a person’s PAH at class 1 or 2, doctors do not usually recommend prostacyclin, endothelin, or nitric oxide pathway drugs.

    If a CCB is not effective or vasodilator testing does not work, a physician will prescribe a medication that affects one of the three pathways discussed above.

    People with class 2 or 3 PAH who do not improve with vasodilator testing may begin endothelin or nitric oxide pathways drugs. The treatment may be prescribed as one drug or a combination.

    People with class 4 PAH who do not improve with vasodilator testing may begin either endothelin or nitric oxide pathway drugs, along with a prostacyclin treatment.

    6. Most People Take a Combination of Medications for PAH

    Taking more than one group of PAH medication can improve quality of life for people with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This strategy can also help people with PAH live longer.

    One clinical trial examined using ambrisentan and tadalafil together in 500 people with class 2 or 3 PAH who had not previously taken medication for the condition. Researchers found that the two drugs were more effective for treating PAH than using either alone, although the combination therapy also had some side effects.

    Another study on 18 people with class 3 or 4 PAH showed that taking an endothelin receptor antagonist, a prostacyclin analog, and a PDE-5 inhibitor together helped decrease the risk of heart failure.

    Be sure to talk to your doctor when starting, switching, or combining medications for PAH. Based on the severity and symptoms of your PAH, they can help determine the best treatment plan for you.

    Talk With Others Who Understand

    On myPHteam, the social network for people with pulmonary hypertension and their loved ones, more than 48,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories.

    Are you living with pulmonary arterial hypertension? Which treatments have helped your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.

    References
    1. Treating and Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — American Lung Association
    2. The Prostacyclin Analogue Treprostinil in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — Basic & Clinical Pharmacological & Toxicology
    3. Recent Advances in the Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — F1000 Research
    4. What Is Pulmonary Hypertension? — American Thoracic Society
    5. The Prostacyclin Pathway in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Clinical Review — Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
    6. Pulmonary Hypertension — Mayo Clinic
    7. Pulmonary Hypertension — The Medical Clinics of North America
    8. Prostacyclin Analogs — LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury
    9. Regulation of Nitric Oxide Production in Health and Disease — Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
    10. Nitric Oxide Deficiency in Pulmonary Hypertension: Pathobiology and Implications for Therapy — Pulmonary Circulation
    11. Therapies for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Where Are We Today, Where Do We Go Tomorrow? — European Respiratory Review
    12. Nitric Oxide Pathway and Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — Journal of the American College of Cardiology
    13. Health Disparities in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic — Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension
    14. Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Glance on Nitric Oxide Pathway — Frontiers in Pharmacology
    15. Vardenafil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study — American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
    16. FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA Clarifies Warning About Pediatric Use of Revatio (Sildenafil) for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    17. Highlights of Prescribing Information: Adcirca — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    18. Riociguat (Oral Route) — Mayo Clinic
    19. Endothelin Receptor Antagonists in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — European Respiratory Journal
    20. Endothelin Receptor Antagonists — Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK
    21. The WHO Functional Class — Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK
    22. Treatment Algorithm for PAH — Journal of the American College of Cardiology
    23. Acute Vasodilator Testing — Pulmonary Hypertension Association
    24. RESPITE: Switching to Riociguat in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients With Inadequate Response to Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors — European Respiratory Journal
    25. Are Two Drugs Better Than One for PAH? — Pulmonary Hypertension Association
    26. Initial Use of Ambrisentan Plus Tadalafil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension — The New England Journal of Medicine
    27. Upfront Triple Combination Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Pilot Study — European Respiratory Journal
      Updated on December 29, 2022
      All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

      Become a Subscriber

      Get the latest articles about pulmonary hypertension sent to your inbox.

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      Steven C. Pugliese, M.D. is affiliated with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, serving as the director of the pulmonary embolism response team, co-director of the comprehensive pulmonary embolism program, and an assistant professor of clinical medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here
      Andrew J. Funk, DC, DACNB has held board certification in neurology with the American Chiropractic Neurology Board since 2015. Learn more about him here

      Related Articles

      Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition that causes high blood pressure in t...

      Targeting the Molecular Pathways That Cause PAH: What We Know

      Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition that causes high blood pressure in t...
      For people who’ve felt the weight of fatigue due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the pr...

      New Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Medications: 4 Advances in Treatment

      For people who’ve felt the weight of fatigue due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the pr...
      Lisinopril is a medication that helps control high blood pressure. While lisinopril doesn’t cause...

      Lisinopril and Weight Gain: Is There a Connection?

      Lisinopril is a medication that helps control high blood pressure. While lisinopril doesn’t cause...
      Doctors recommend pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatments based on several different factors, incl...

      Treatments for Pulmonary Hypertension

      Doctors recommend pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatments based on several different factors, incl...
      Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be mild, moderate, or severe, and the treatment your do...

      3 Ways PAH Severity Impacts Treatment

      Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be mild, moderate, or severe, and the treatment your do...
      Treating PAH with two or more therapies, known as combination therapy, is an effective way to man...

      Finding the Best PAH Treatment: What Is Combination Therapy?

      Treating PAH with two or more therapies, known as combination therapy, is an effective way to man...

      Recent Articles

      Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to high blood pressure in the blood vessels that travel betwee...

      Pulmonary Venous Hypertension vs. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: What’s the Difference?

      Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to high blood pressure in the blood vessels that travel betwee...
      Supplements can offer a great way to boost your body’s amino acid levels — but with some, it’s po...

      Can High Doses of NAC Cause Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

      Supplements can offer a great way to boost your body’s amino acid levels — but with some, it’s po...
      Welcome to myPHteam — the place to connect with others living with pulmonary hypertension (PH). ...

      Getting Started on myPHteam (VIDEO)

      Welcome to myPHteam — the place to connect with others living with pulmonary hypertension (PH). ...
      You’ve recently gone to your doctor after experiencing shortness of breath when you exercise. The...

      Borderline Pulmonary Hypertension: 6 Things To Know

      You’ve recently gone to your doctor after experiencing shortness of breath when you exercise. The...
      Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is often linked with several other conditions, one of which is Down s...

      Pulmonary Hypertension and Down Syndrome: Is There a Connection?

      Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is often linked with several other conditions, one of which is Down s...
      Have you ever had a dry, tickly sensation in your throat that makes you cough and won’t go away? ...

      Which Blood Pressure Medications Can Cause Coughing?

      Have you ever had a dry, tickly sensation in your throat that makes you cough and won’t go away? ...
      myPHteam My pulmonary hypertension Team

      Thank you for subscribing!

      Become a member to get even more:

      sign up for free

      close