What are the treatments for pulmonary hypertension?

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Last updated: February 17, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension

Treatment for pulmonary hypertension typically involves a multi-modal approach, including pharmacological therapy with endothelin receptor antagonists such as bosentan (125mg twice daily) or ambrisentan (5-10mg daily) 1, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors like sildenafil (20-50mg three times daily) 1, and prostacyclin analogs such as epoprostenol (initial dose 2-4 ng/kg/min, titrated to effect) 1.

  • Pharmacological Therapy:
    • Endothelin receptor antagonists: bosentan (125mg twice daily) or ambrisentan (5-10mg daily) 1
    • Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors: sildenafil (20-50mg three times daily) 1
    • Prostacyclin analogs: epoprostenol (initial dose 2-4 ng/kg/min, titrated to effect) 1
  • Supportive Care:
    • Supplemental oxygen therapy
    • Diuretics to manage symptoms and prevent complications
  • Severe Cases:
    • Calcium channel blockers like nifedipine (30-60mg daily) may be considered, although their use is limited to a subset of patients with responsive disease 1 Additionally, patients may receive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, palliative care, supportive care, and preventive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications 1. In severe cases, surgical options such as double-lung or heart–lung transplantation can be considered 1. It is essential to note that the treatment approach should be individualized based on the patient's specific condition, and the involvement of clinicians with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of pulmonary hypertension is crucial 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ambrisentan tablets are indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1): To improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening.

Sildenafil tablets are a prescription medicine used in adults to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Epoprostenol for injection is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise capacity.

The treatments for pulmonary hypertension include:

  • Ambrisentan (2) to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening
  • Sildenafil (3) to improve the ability to exercise and slow down worsening changes in physical condition
  • Epoprostenol (4) to improve exercise capacity

From the Research

Treatments for Pulmonary Hypertension

There are no research papers provided that directly address the treatments for pulmonary hypertension. The available studies focus on various topics such as:

  • Multimodal management of knee osteoarthritis 5
  • Multimodal approaches for pain management 6
  • Photo- and sono-dynamic therapy 7
  • Multi-modal intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk among hypertensive older adults 8
  • Effectiveness of models used to deliver multimodal care for chronic musculoskeletal pain 9

These studies do not provide information on the treatments for pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a list of treatments based on the available evidence.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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