Is Tracleer™ an oral form of UT15 or Flolan™?
Tracleer™ is not an oral form of UT-15 (treprostenol) or Flolan™ (epoprostenol). Tracleer™ is a drug that blocks a substance called endothelin from binding to its receptors. Endothelin is one of the most potent vasoconstrictor substances (substances that cause blood vessels to squeeze and in so doing increase blood pressure) made by the body and has been found in increased amounts in patients with pulmonary hypertension. It is believed that by preventing endothelin from binding to its receptor, vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the lungs can be prevented or even reversed. Prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin) is another substance made by the body that dilates (expands the size of) blood vessels, thus acting in opposition to endothelin. Both UT-15 and Flolan™ are man-made substances similar to prostacyclin and exert their effect by dilating the blood vessels in the lung as well as in other ways that we do not fully understand.
