Temporary treatment interruptions with oral selexipag in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Insights from the Prostacyclin (PGI2) Receptor Agonist in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (GRIPHON) study

Ioana R. Preston, Richard N. Channick, Kelly Chin, Lilla Di Scala, Harrison W. Farber, Sean Gaine, Nazzareno Galiè, Hossein Ardeschir Ghofrani, Marius M. Hoeper, Irene M. Lang, Vallerie V. McLaughlin, Ralph Preiss, Ge´rald Simonneau, Olivier Sitbon, Victor F. Tapson, Lewis J. Rubin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Parenteral prostacyclin analogs that target the prostacyclin pathway have been used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) since the 1990s. Abrupt discontinuation of parenteral prostacyclin analogs can be associated with acute deterioration of PAH. Less is known about temporary interruption of oral therapies that target the prostacyclin pathway, such as selexipag. Methods: We evaluated the frequency, duration, reasons, and consequences of temporary selexipag interruptions among PAH patients enrolled in the Prostacyclin (PGI2) Receptor Agonist in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (GRIPHON) study. In GRIPHON, patients were randomized to selexipag or placebo and titrated to an individualized highest tolerated dose (200 to 1,600 µg twice daily) over 12 weeks, after which patients entered the maintenance phase. Treatment interruptions were allowed; if the interruption was < 3 days, treatment was restarted at the previous highest tolerated dose; if the interruption was ≥ 3 days, retitration from 200 µg twice daily was required. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results: At least 1 treatment interruption occurred in 111 of 574 patients (19.3%) in the selexipag group and in 58 of 582 (10.0%) in the placebo group. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients with and without an interruption. Of the 111 patients in whom selexipag was temporarily interrupted, 94 (85%) were receiving background PAH therapy. Adverse events were the most common reason for selexipag interruption. Selexipag interruptions and reinstitution of treatment were well tolerated. There were no episodes of acute deterioration during treatment interruption. Conclusions: Based on observations from GRIPHON, selexipag interruptions can be expected in clinical practice. However, temporarily interrupting selexipag was well tolerated and manageable.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)401-408
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume37
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2018

Keywords

  • pharmacotherapy
  • prostanoid receptor agonist
  • pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • selexipag
  • treatment interruption

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Transplantation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Temporary treatment interruptions with oral selexipag in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Insights from the Prostacyclin (PGI2) Receptor Agonist in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (GRIPHON) study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this