Last reviewed · How we verify
Flolan (EPOPROSTENOL)
Flolan works by binding to the prostacyclin receptor, causing blood vessels to relax and dilate.
Flolan (Epoprostenol) is a prostacycline vasodilator that targets the prostacyclin receptor. It is a small molecule drug that was originally developed by GlaxoSmithKline LLC and is currently owned by Actelion. Flolan is FDA-approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension, and is also used to treat various respiratory conditions such as allergic rhinitis and the common cold. The commercial status of Flolan is not explicitly stated, but it is available from generic manufacturers. Key safety considerations include the need for continuous intravenous administration and potential side effects such as flushing and headache.
At a glance
| Generic name | EPOPROSTENOL |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | AstraZeneca |
| Drug class | Prostacycline Vasodilator [EPC] |
| Target | Prostacyclin receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Cardiovascular |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1995 |
Mechanism of action
Epoprostenol has major pharmacological actions: (1) direct vasodilation of pulmonary and systemic arterial vascular beds, and (2) inhibition of platelet aggregation.
Approved indications
- Allergic rhinitis
- Common cold
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Nasal discharge
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Rhinitis
Common side effects
- Flushing
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting
- Hypotension
- Anxiety, nervousness, agitation
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Bradycardia
- Abdominal pain
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Dyspnea
- Back pain
Key clinical trials
- A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Ralinepag to Improve Treatment Outcomes in PAH Patients (PHASE3)
- Field Study on Intravenous Iloprost for Treatment of Severe Frostbite at High Altitude
- Long-Term Outcomes of Selexipag in Schistosomiasis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Inhaled Treprostinil for Dyspnea and Exercise Intolerance in Mild COPD (PHASE2)
- A Study Evaluating the Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Ralinepag in Subjects With PAH Via an Open-Label Extension (PHASE3)
- Epoprostenol Plus Conventional Therapy in COld and Frostbite Injury (ECCO) (PHASE4)
- Patient-Reported Outcomes and Adherence After Transition From Inhaled Iloprost to Oral Selexipag in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- A Study of Sotatercept for Patients With Eisenmenger Syndrome or Unrepaired Shunt-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Resistant to Vasodilator Therapy (PHASE4)
Patents
| Patent | Expiry | Type |
|---|---|---|
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| FDA Orange Book | Patents + exclusivity |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Flolan CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Flolan updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- AstraZeneca portfolio CI