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Overview: Selexipag is used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs. It widens blood vessels to make it easier for blood to flow to your lungs. Common side effects include headaches, diarrhea, jaw pain, and flushing. Selexipag comes in two forms: an injection that is given by a health care provider and a tablet that you swallow.

Uses

What is selexipag used for?

Selexipag is commonly used for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition where you have high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs.

Selexipag may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does selexipag work (mechanism of action)?

Selexipag works by turning on a specific receptor that relaxes blood vessels and stops certain muscle cells from growing inside blood vessels. This helps widen the blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reducing strain on the heart. 

How is selexipag supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Uptravi

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mcg, 400 mcg, 600 mcg, 800 mcg, 1000 mcg, 1200 mcg, 1400 mcg, and 1600 mcg oral tablets

Selexipag is also available in injectable forms.

How should I store selexipag?

Oral Tablet. Selexipag should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Injection Liquid. You usually get selexipag injections from a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of selexipag?

The most common side effects of selexipag are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Jaw pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain in your muscles, arms, legs, or joints
  • Flushing
  • Decreased appetite
  • Low levels of red blood cells
  • Rash
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near where the needle went in (injectable form only)

There may be other side effects of selexipag that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of selexipag?

While less common, the most serious side effects of selexipag are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Selexipag may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using selexipag and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Fluid Buildup in the Lungs. Selexipag may cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema) in certain people. Stop using selexipag and tell your health care provider right away if you have the following symptoms.

  • Any breathing problems that feel more severe or different than usual
  • Coughing, especially when lying down
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen (belly area)
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Feeling anxious or restless
  • Fast heartbeat

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use selexipag?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use selexipag.

  • Selexipag
  • Uptravi
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific selexipag products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Selexipag should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Before using selexipag, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.  See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about selexipag before using it?

Do not use selexipag unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. 

The injectable form of selexipag is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you are prescribed selexipag tablets, take them as directed. Do not stop this medicine unless your health care provider tells you to.

Do not split, crush, or chew selexipag tablets. Swallow them whole. Selexipag tablets can be taken with or without food, but taking them with food may help lessen certain side effects, such as nausea. 

Do not share selexipag with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep selexipag out of the reach of children.

What should I tell my health care provider before using selexipag?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if selexipag is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems or dialysis
  • Narrowing or blockage of veins in the lungs, called pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how selexipag could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if selexipag passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop selexipag.

Interactions

Does selexipag interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between selexipag and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect selexipag.

Does selexipag interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using selexipag.

  • Gemfibrozil (Lopid), which is a medicine for high cholesterol
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • Deferasirox (Exjade, Jadenu), which is a medicine used to remove iron from the blood (iron overload)
  • Teriflunomide (Aubagio), which is a medicine used for multiple sclerosis 
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine used to treat an infection called tuberculosis

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of selexipag. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with selexipag. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much selexipag?

If you or someone else has used too much selexipag, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of selexipag?

Oral Tablet. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if your next dose is due within six hours, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at your usual time. Do not take double or extra doses. If you miss selexipag for three or more days, call your health care provider for instructions. Your dose may need to be adjusted.

Injection. If you miss an appointment to get your selexipag dose, call your health care provider’s office to reschedule as soon as possible.