Generic Drug Names Confirmation
Yes, sildenafil, tadalafil, riociguat, selexipag, epoprostenol, iloprost, and treprostinil are all generic (non-proprietary) names for medications used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Drug Classification and Nomenclature
These medications represent three distinct therapeutic classes targeting different pathophysiological pathways in pulmonary arterial hypertension:
Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors (PDE-5i)
- Sildenafil and tadalafil are selective PDE-5 inhibitors that enhance the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway by slowing cGMP degradation 1
- Both are dispensed as generic names, with sildenafil also known by brand names and tadalafil administered once daily 1
Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator
- Riociguat is an sGC stimulator that enhances cGMP production through a mechanism distinct from PDE-5 inhibitors 1
- This generic name represents the only approved drug in its class for PAH treatment 1
Prostacyclin Pathway Agents
- Epoprostenol is a synthetic prostacyclin analogue with a short half-life requiring continuous intravenous administration 1, 2
- Iloprost is a chemically stable prostacyclin analogue available for intravenous, oral, or aerosol administration 1
- Treprostinil is a tricyclic benzidine analogue of epoprostenol with sufficient chemical stability for administration at ambient temperature via intravenous, subcutaneous, inhaled, or oral routes 1, 3
Selective Prostacyclin Receptor Agonist
- Selexipag is an orally available, selective prostacyclin IP receptor agonist that is chemically distinct from prostacyclin with different pharmacology 1
- Unlike prostacyclin analogues, selexipag does not cause paradoxical vasoconstriction via EP3 receptor activation 4
Clinical Context
All seven medications are referenced by their generic names in major clinical guidelines, including the 2015 ESC/ERS Guidelines for Pulmonary Hypertension 1 and the CHEST Guidelines 1. The FDA drug labels also use these generic names as the primary nomenclature 3.
These generic names are the internationally recognized non-proprietary names (INN) used in prescribing, clinical trials, and medical literature worldwide 5, 2, 6, 7.