Iloprost

Iloprost

Basics

Iloprost is an active substance for the treatment of thrombangiitis obliterans and pulmonary hypertension. It belongs to the group of prostacyclin analogs and has a vasodilating and anti-platelet aggregation effect. Iloprost is available as an infusion solution concentrate and as a solution for nebulization. In medicines, it is usually present as iloprost trometamol and is hardly soluble in water.

Graphic structural formula of the active substance iloprost

Drugs with Iloprost

Drug Substance(s) Authorisation holder
Ventavis 10 microgram/ml nebuliser solution Iloprost Bayer Schering Pharma AG

Effect

Iloprost works by dilating the blood vessels. As an analog of prostacyclin, it mimics its effect. The exact mechanism has not yet been clarified, but it is assumed that iloprost inhibits the catecholamine outflow from nerve endings. It increases capillary density, which leads to reduced permeability. The active ingredient also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Iloprost is metabolized in the liver and excreted via the kidneys. The half-life of iloprost, i.e. the time it takes the body to excrete half of the active substance, is around 20-30 minutes.

Dosage

Always take Iloprost exactly as described in the package leaflet or as advised by your doctor.

Adults:

A usual recommended dose cannot be generalized for Iloprost, as the dosage varies depending on weight and underlying disease.

Side Effects

The following side effects may occur:

Very common:

  • Headache
  • flushing
  • Nausea
  • vomiting
  • Excessive sweating

Frequent:

Occasional:

Rarely:

  • Disorders of the vestibule
  • cough
  • Inflammation of the rectal mucosa

Interactions

Interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:

  • Blood pressure-lowering medication
  • Medication for blood clotting
  • Medication from the glucocorticoid group

Contraindications

Iloprost must NOT be taken in the following cases:

Age Restriction

Iloprost should NOT be used under the age of 18 due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Iloprost should NOT be used during pregnancy as adverse effects have been observed in animal studies in rats.

Iloprost should NOT be used during breastfeeding, as animal studies in rats have shown that the active substance passes into breast milk.

History to the active ingredient

Prostaglandins owe their name to their discoverers, Goldblatt and Ulf, who first described prostaglandins as components of sperm in 1933. They assumed that the vasculogenic properties originated from the prostate. This assertion later turned out to be wrong. Prostaglandins were first isolated in 1962 by Sune Bergström and Bengt Samuelsson.

Chemical & physical properties

ATC Code B01AC11, C02KX08
Formula C22H32O4
Molar Mass (g·mol−1) 360,487
Physical State liquid
Density (g·cm−3) 1,2
Melting Point (°C) -98
Boiling Point (°C) 57
PKS Value 4,66
CAS Number 78919-13-8
PUB Number 5311181
Drugbank ID DB01088

Editorial principles

All information used for the content comes from verified sources (recognised institutions, experts, studies by renowned universities). We attach great importance to the qualification of the authors and the scientific background of the information. Thus, we ensure that our research is based on scientific findings.
Thomas Hofko

Thomas Hofko
Author

Thomas Hofko is in the last third of his bachelor's degree in pharmacy and is a writer on pharmaceutical topics. He is particularly interested in the fields of clinical pharmacy and phytopharmacy.

The content of this page is an automated and high-quality translation from DeepL. You can find the original content in German here.

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