Uptravi

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ANNEX I 
 

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 



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This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of 
new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions. 
See section 4.8 for how to report adverse reactions. 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets. 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets. 
 
 
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 200 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 400 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 600 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 800 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,000 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,200 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,400 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,600 micrograms of selexipag. 
 
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1. 
 
 
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM 
 
Film-coated tablet  
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, light-yellow, film-coated tablets with “2” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, red, film-coated tablets with “4” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets 



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Round, light-violet, film-coated tablets with “6” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, green, film-coated tablets with “8” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, orange, film-coated tablets with “10” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, dark-violet, film-coated tablets with “12” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, dark-yellow, film-coated tablets with “14” debossed on one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets 
Round, brown, film-coated tablets with “16” debossed on one side. 
 
 
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS 
 
4.1 Therapeutic indications 
 
Uptravi is indicated for the long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adult 
patients with WHO functional class (FC) II–III, either as combination therapy in patients insufficiently 
controlled with an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) and/or a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) 
inhibitor, or as monotherapy in patients who are not candidates for these therapies. 
 
Efficacy has been shown in a PAH population including idiopathic and heritable PAH, PAH 
associated with connective tissue disorders, and PAH associated with corrected simple congenital 
heart disease (see section 5.1). 
 
4.2 Posology and method of administration 
 
Treatment should only be initiated and monitored by a physician experienced in the treatment of PAH. 
 
Posology 
 
Individualised dose titration 
Each patient should be up-titrated to the highest individually tolerated dose, which can range from 
200 micrograms given twice daily to 1,600 micrograms given twice daily (individualised maintenance 
dose). 
 
The recommended starting dose is 200 micrograms given twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart. 
The dose is increased in increments of 200 micrograms given twice daily, usually at weekly intervals. 
At the beginning of treatment and at each up-titration step it is recommended to take the first dose in 
the evening. During dose titration some adverse reactions, reflecting the mode of action of Uptravi 
(such as headache, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, jaw pain, myalgia, pain in extremity, arthralgia, 
and flushing), may occur. They are usually transient or manageable with symptomatic treatment (see 
section 4.8). However, if a patient reaches a dose that cannot be tolerated, the dose should be reduced 
to the previous dose level.  
 
In patients in whom up-titration was limited by reasons other than adverse reactions reflecting the 
mode of action of Uptravi, a second attempt to continue up-titration to the highest individually 
tolerated dose up to a maximum dose of 1,600 micrograms twice daily may be considered. 
 
Individualised maintenance dose 
The highest tolerated dose reached during dose titration should be maintained. If the therapy over time 



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is less tolerated at a given dose, symptomatic treatment and/or a dose reduction to the next lower dose 
should be considered. 
 
Interruptions and discontinuations 
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. The missed dose should not be taken if the 
next scheduled dose is within approximately 6 hours. 
 
If treatment is missed for 3 days or more, Uptravi should be restarted at a lower dose and then 
up-titrated. 
 
There is limited experience with abrupt discontinuation of Uptravi in patients with PAH. No evidence 
for acute rebound has been observed. 
 
However, if the decision to withdraw Uptravi is taken, it should be done gradually while an alternative 
therapy is introduced. 
 
Dosage Adjustment with Co-administration of Moderate CYP2C8 Inhibitors 
When co-administered with moderate CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel, deferasirox and 
teriflunomide), reduce the dosing of Uptravi to once daily. If the therapy is not tolerated at a given 
dose, symptomatic treatment and/or a dose reduction to the next lower dose should be considered.  
Revert to twice daily dosing frequency of Uptravi when co-administration of moderate CYP2C8 
inhibitor is stopped (see section 4.5). 
 
Elderly (≥ 65 years) 
No adjustment to the dose regimen is needed in elderly people (see section 5.2). There is limited 
clinical experience in patients over the age of 75 years, therefore Uptravi should be used with caution 
in this population (see section 4.4). 
 
Hepatic impairment 
Uptravi should not be administered in patients with severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh class C; see 
section 4.4). For patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B), the starting dose of 
Uptravi should be 200 micrograms once daily, and increased at weekly intervals by increments of 
200 micrograms given once daily until adverse reactions, reflecting the mode of action of selexipag, 
that cannot be tolerated or medically managed are experienced. No adjustment to the dose regimen is 
needed in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A).  
 
Renal impairment 
No adjustment to the dose regimen is needed in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. No 
change in starting dose is required in patients with severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular 
filtration rate [eGFR] < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2); dose titration should be done with caution in these 
patients (see section 4.4). 
 
Paediatric population (< 18 years) 
The safety and efficacy of Uptravi in children aged 0 to less than 18 years have not yet been 
established. No data are available. Administration of selexipag in the paediatric population is not 
recommended. Animal studies indicated an increased risk of intussusception, but the clinical relevance 
of these findings is unknown (see section 5.3). 
 
Method of administration  
 
Oral use. 
 
The film-coated tablets are to be taken orally in the morning and in the evening. To improve 
tolerability, it is recommended to take Uptravi with food and, at the beginning of each up-titration 
phase, to take the first increased dose in the evening. 
 
The tablets should not be split, crushed or chewed, and are to be swallowed with water. 



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Patients who have poor vision or are blind must be instructed to get assistance from another person 
when taking Uptravi during the titration period. 
 
4.3 Contraindications 
 
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. 
• Severe coronary heart disease or unstable angina. 
• Myocardial infarction within the last 6 months. 
• Decompensated cardiac failure if not under close medical supervision. 
• Severe arrhythmias. 
• Cerebrovascular events (e.g., transient ischaemic attack, stroke) within the last 3 months. 
• Congenital or acquired valvular defects with clinically relevant myocardial function disorders 

not related to pulmonary hypertension. 
• Concomitant use of strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 (e.g., gemfibrozil; see section 4.5). 
 
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use 
 
Hypotension 
 
Uptravi has vasodilatory properties that may result in lowering of blood pressure. Before prescribing 
Uptravi, physicians should carefully consider whether patients with certain underlying conditions 
could be adversely affected by vasodilatory effects (e.g., patients on antihypertensive therapy or with 
resting hypotension, hypovolaemia, severe left ventricular outflow obstruction or autonomic 
dysfunction).  
 
Hyperthyroidism 
 
Hyperthyroidism has been observed with Uptravi. Thyroid function tests are recommended as 
clinically indicated in the presence of signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism. 
 
Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease 
 
Cases of pulmonary oedema have been reported with vasodilators (mainly prostacyclins) when used in 
patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Consequently, if signs of pulmonary oedema occur 
when Uptravi is administered in patients with PAH, the possibility of pulmonary veno-occlusive 
disease should be considered. If confirmed, treatment with Uptravi should be discontinued. 
 
Elderly (≥ 65 years) 
 
There is limited clinical experience with selexipag in patients over the age of 75 years, therefore 
Uptravi should be used with caution in this population (see section 4.2). 
 
Hepatic impairment 
 
There is no clinical experience with selexipag in patients with severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh 
class C), therefore Uptravi should not be administered in these patients. The exposure to selexipag and 
its active metabolite is increased in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B; 
see section 5.2). In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, Uptravi should be dosed once daily 
(see section 4.2). 
 
Renal impairment 
 
In patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2), caution should be exercised 
during dose titration. There is no experience with Uptravi in patients undergoing dialysis (see 
section 5.2), therefore Uptravi should not be used in these patients. 
 



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Women of childbearing potential 
 
Women of childbearing potential should practise effective contraception while taking selexipag. 
 
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction 
 
Effect of other medicinal products on selexipag 
 
Selexipag is hydrolysed to its active metabolite by carboxylesterases (see section 5.2). Selexipag and 
its active metabolite both undergo oxidative metabolism mainly by CYP2C8 and to a smaller extent by 
CYP3A4. The glucuronidation of the active metabolite is catalysed by UGT1A3 and UGT2B7. 
Selexipag and its active metabolite are substrates of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Selexipag is a weak 
substrate of the P-gp efflux pump. The active metabolite is a weak substrate of the breast cancer 
resistance protein (BCRP). 
 
The pharmacokinetics of selexipag and its active metabolite are not affected by warfarin. 
 
Inhibitors of CYP2C8 
In the presence of 600 mg gemfibrozil, twice a day, a strong inhibitor of CYP2C8, exposure to 
selexipag increased approximately 2-fold, whereas exposure to the active metabolite, the major 
contributor to efficacy, increased approximately 11-fold. Concomitant administration of Uptravi with 
strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 (e.g., gemfibrozil) is contraindicated (see section 4.3). 
 
Concomitant administration of Uptravi with clopidogrel (loading dose of 300 mg or maintenance dose 
of 75 mg once a day), a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C8, had no relevant effect on the exposure to 
selexipag but increased the exposure to the active metabolite approximately 2.2 and 2.7-fold following 
loading dose and maintenance dose, respectively. Dosing frequency of Uptravi should be reduced to 
once daily when co-administered with moderate CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel, deferasirox, 
teriflunomide). Dosing frequency of Uptravi should be reverted to twice daily when co-administration 
of moderate CYP2C8 inhibitor is stopped (see section 4.2).  
 
Inducers of CYP2C8 
In the presence of 600 mg rifampicin, once a day, an inducer of CYP2C8 (and UGT enzymes), the 
exposure to selexipag did not change, whereas exposure to the active metabolite was reduced by half. 
Dose adjustment of selexipag may be required with concomitant administration of inducers of 
CYP2C8 (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin). 
 
Inhibitors of UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 
The effect of strong inhibitors of UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 (valproic acid, probenecid, and fluconazole) 
on the exposure to selexipag and its active metabolite has not been studied. Caution is required when 
administering these medicinal products concomitantly with Uptravi. A potential pharmacokinetic 
interaction with strong inhibitors of UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 cannot be excluded. 
 
Inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 
In the presence of 400/100 mg lopinavir/ritonavir twice daily, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, exposure to 
selexipag increased approximately 2-fold, whereas the exposure to the active metabolite of selexipag 
did not change. Given the 37-fold higher potency of the active metabolite, this effect is not clinically 
relevant. Since a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4 did not affect the pharmacokinetics of the active 
metabolite, indicating that the CYP3A4 pathway is not important in the elimination of the active 
metabolite, no effect of inducers of CYP3A4 on the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite is 
expected. 
 
PAH-specific therapies 
In the Phase 3 placebo-controlled trial in patients with PAH, the use of selexipag in combination with 
both an ERA and a PDE-5 inhibitor resulted in a 30% lower exposure to the active metabolite.  
 
Transporter inhibitors (lopinavir/ritonavir) 



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In the presence of 400/100 mg lopinavir/ritonavir twice daily, a strong OATP (OATP1B1 and 
OATP1B3) and P-gp inhibitor, exposure to selexipag increased approximately 2-fold, whereas the 
exposure to the active metabolite of selexipag did not change. Given that the majority of the 
pharmacological effect is driven by the active metabolite, this effect is not clinically relevant. 
 
Effect of selexipag on other medicinal products 
 
Selexipag and its active metabolite do not inhibit or induce cytochrome P450 enzymes and transport 
proteins at clinically relevant concentrations.  
 
Anticoagulants or inhibitors of platelet aggregation  
Selexipag is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation in vitro. In the Phase 3 placebo-controlled study in 
patients with PAH, no increased risk of bleeding was detected with selexipag compared to placebo, 
including when selexipag was administered with anticoagulants (such as heparin, coumarin-type 
anticoagulants) or inhibitors of platelet aggregation. In a study in healthy subjects, selexipag 
(400 micrograms twice daily) did not alter the exposure to S-warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate) or 
R-warfarin (CYP3A4 substrate) after a single dose of 20 mg warfarin. Selexipag did not influence the 
pharmacodynamic effect of warfarin on the international normalised ratio. 
 
Midazolam  
At steady state after up-titration to 1,600 μg selexipag twice a day, no clinically relevant change in 
exposure to midazolam, a sensitive intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4 substrate, or its metabolite, 
1-hydroxymidazolam, was observed. Concomitant administration of selexipag with CYP3A4 
substrates does not require dose adjustment. 
 
Hormonal contraceptives  
Specific drug-drug interaction studies with hormonal contraceptives have not been conducted. Since 
selexipag did not affect the exposure to the CYP3A4 substrates midazolam and R-warfarin or to the 
CYP2C9 substrate S-warfarin, reduced efficacy of hormonal contraceptives is not expected. 
 
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation 
 
Women of childbearing potential 
 
Women of childbearing potential should practise effective contraception while taking selexipag. 
 
Pregnancy 
 
There are no data from the use of selexipag in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct 
or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. Selexipag and its main metabolite 
showed 20- to 80-times lower prostacyclin (IP) receptor potency in vitro for animal species used in 
reproductive toxicity testing compared to humans. Therefore, safety margins for potential 
IP receptor-mediated effects on reproduction are accordingly lower than for non-IP-related effects (see 
section 5.3). 
 
Uptravi is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using 
contraception. 
 
Breast-feeding 
 
It is unknown whether selexipag or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. In rats, selexipag or its 
metabolites are excreted in milk (see section 5.3). A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. 
Uptravi should not be used during breast-feeding.  
 
Fertility 
 



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There are no clinical data available. In rat studies, selexipag at high doses caused transient 
disturbances in oestrus cycles that did not affect fertility (see section 5.3). The relevance for humans is 
not known. 
 
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines 
 
Uptravi has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. The clinical status of the patient 
and the adverse reaction profile of selexipag (such as headache or hypotension) should be kept in mind 
when considering the patient’s ability to drive and use machines. 
 
4.8 Undesirable effects 
 
Summary of the safety profile 
 
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are headache, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, jaw 
pain, myalgia, pain in extremity, arthralgia, and flushing. These reactions are more frequent during the 
up-titration phase. The majority of these reactions are of mild to moderate intensity. 
 
Tabulated list of adverse reactions 
 
The safety of selexipag has been evaluated in a long-term, Phase 3 placebo-controlled study enrolling 
1,156 patients with symptomatic PAH. The mean treatment duration was 76.4 weeks (median 
70.7 weeks) for patients receiving selexipag versus 71.2 weeks (median 63.7 weeks) for patients on 
placebo. The exposure to selexipag was up to 4.2 years.  
 
Adverse reactions obtained from the pivotal clinical study are tabulated below. Within each frequency 
grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. 
 

System organ class Very common 
(≥ 1/10) 

Common 
(≥ 1/100 to < 1/10) 

Uncommon 
(≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100) 

Blood and lymphatic 
disorders 

 Anaemia 
Haemoglobin decreased 

 

Endocrine disorders  Hyperthyroidism 
Thyroid-stimulating 
Hormone decreased (see 
section 4.4) 

 

Metabolism and 
nutrition disorders 

 Decreased appetite 
Weight decrease 

 

Nervous system 
disorders 

Headache*   

Cardiac disorders   Sinus tachycardia 
Vascular disorders Flushing* Hypotension (see 

section 4.4) 
 

Respiratory, thoracic 
and mediastinal 
disorders 

Nasopharyngitis (of 
non-infectious 
origin) 

Nasal congestion  

Gastro-intestinal 
disorders 

Diarrhoea* 
Vomiting * 
Nausea* 

Abdominal pain  

Skin and subcutaneous 
tissue disorders 

 Rash 
Urticaria 
Erythema 

 

Musculoskeletal and 
connective tissue 
disorders 

Jaw pain* 
Myalgia* 
Arthralgia* 
Pain in extremity* 

  



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General disorders and 
administration site 
conditions 

 Pain  

* See section Description of selected adverse reactions. 
 
Description of selected adverse reactions 
 
Pharmacological effects associated with titration and maintenance treatment 
Adverse reactions associated with the mode of action of selexipag have been observed frequently, in 
particular during the phase of individualised dose titration, and are tabulated below:  
 

Prostacyclin-like associated 
adverse reactions  

Titration Maintenance 
Selexipag Placebo Selexipag Placebo 

Headache 64% 28% 40% 20% 
Diarrhoea 36% 12% 30% 13% 
Nausea 29% 13% 20% 10% 
Pain in jaw 26% 4% 21% 4% 
Myalgia 15% 5% 9% 3% 
Pain in extremity 14% 5% 13% 6% 
Vomiting 14% 4% 8% 6% 
Flushing 11% 4% 10% 3% 
Arthralgia 7% 5% 9% 5% 

 
These effects are usually transient or manageable with symptomatic treatment. 7.5% of patients on 
selexipag discontinued treatment due to these adverse reactions. The approximate rate of adverse 
reactions that were serious was 2.3% in the selexipag group and 0.5% in the placebo group. In clinical 
practice, gastro-intestinal events have been observed to respond to anti-diarrhoeal, anti-emetic, and 
anti-nauseant medicinal products and/or medicinal products for functional gastro-intestinal disorders. 
Pain-associated events have frequently been treated with analgesics (such as paracetamol). 
 
Haemoglobin decrease 
In a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study in patients with PAH, mean absolute changes in haemoglobin at 
regular visits compared to baseline ranged from −0.34 to −0.02 g/dL in the selexipag group compared 
to −0.05 to 0.25 g/dL in the placebo group. A decrease from baseline in haemoglobin concentration to 
below 10 g/dL was reported in 8.6% of selexipag-treated patients and 5.0% of placebo-treated 
patients. 
 
Thyroid function tests 
In a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study in patients with PAH, hyperthyroidism was reported for 1.6% of 
patients in the selexipag group, compared to no case in the placebo group (see section 4.4). A 
reduction (up to −0.3 MU/L from a baseline median of 2.5 MU/L) in median thyroid-stimulating 
hormone was observed at most visits in the selexipag group. In the placebo group, little change in 
median values was apparent. There were no mean changes in triiodothyronine or thyroxine in either 
group. 
 
Increase in heart rate 
In the Phase 3 placebo-controlled study in patients with PAH, a transient increase in mean heart rate of 
3–4 bpm at 2–4 hours post-dose was observed. Electrocardiogram investigations showed sinus 
tachycardia in 11.3% of patients in the selexipag group compared to 8.8% in the placebo group (see 
section 5.1). 
 
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 
 
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It 
allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare 



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professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V. 
 
4.9 Overdose 
 
Isolated cases of overdose up to 3,200 micrograms were reported. Mild, transient nausea was the only 
reported consequence. In the event of overdose, supportive measures must be taken as required. 
Dialysis is unlikely to be effective because selexipag and its active metabolite are highly protein 
bound. 
 
 
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES 
 
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties 
 
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antithrombotic agents, platelet aggregation inhibitors excluding heparin, 
ATC code: B01AC27 
 
Mechanism of action 
 
Selexipag is a selective IP receptor agonist distinct from prostacyclin and its analogues. Selexipag is 
hydrolysed by carboxylesterases to yield its active metabolite, which is approximately 37-fold more 
potent than selexipag. Selexipag and the active metabolite are high-affinity IP receptor agonists with a 
high selectivity for the IP receptor versus other prostanoid receptors (EP1–EP4, DP, FP, and TP). 
Selectivity against EP1, EP3, FP, and TP is important because these are well-described contractile 
receptors in the gastro-intestinal tract and blood vessels. Selectivity against EP2, EP4, and DP1 is 
important because these receptors mediate immune depressive effects. 
 
Stimulation of the IP receptor by selexipag and the active metabolite leads to vasodilatory as well as 
anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic effects. Selexipag prevents cardiac and pulmonary remodelling in a 
rat model of PAH and causes proportional decreases in pulmonary and peripheral pressures, indicating 
that peripheral vasodilation reflects pulmonary pharmacodynamic efficacy. Selexipag does not cause 
IP receptor desensitisation in vitro nor tachyphylaxis in a rat model. 
 
Pharmacodynamic effects 
 
Cardiac electrophysiology  
In a thorough QT study in healthy subjects, repeated doses of 800 and 1,600 micrograms of selexipag 
twice daily did not show an effect on cardiac repolarisation (QTc interval) or conduction (PR and QRS 
intervals) and had a mild accelerating effect on heart rate (the placebo-corrected, baseline-adjusted 
increase in heart rate reached 6–7 bpm at 1.5 to 3 h after dosing with 800 micrograms selexipag and 
9-10 bpm at the same timepoints after 1,600 micrograms selexipag). 
 
Coagulation factors 
In Phase 1 and 2 studies a slight decrease in plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) was 
observed with selexipag; the vWF values remained above the lower limit of the normal range.  
 
Pulmonary haemodynamics 
A Phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study assessed haemodynamic variables after 
17 weeks of treatment in patients with PAH WHO FC II–III and concomitantly receiving ERAs and/or 
PDE-5 inhibitors. Patients titrating selexipag to an individually tolerated dose (200 micrograms twice 
daily increments up to 800 micrograms twice daily; N = 33) achieved a statistically significant mean 
reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance of 30.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −44.7%, −12.2%; 
p = 0.0045) and an increase in cardiac index (mean treatment effect) of 0.48 L/min/m2 (95% CI: 0.13, 
0.83) compared to placebo (N = 10). 
 
Clinical efficacy and safety 



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Efficacy in patients with PAH 
The effect of selexipag on progression of PAH was demonstrated in a multi-centre, long-term 
(maximum duration of exposure approximately 4.2 years), double-blind, placebo-controlled, 
parallel-group, event-driven Phase 3 study in 1,156 patients with symptomatic (WHO FC I–IV) PAH. 
Patients were randomised to either placebo (N = 582) or selexipag (N = 574) twice daily. The dose 
was increased at weekly intervals by increments of 200 micrograms given twice daily to determine the 
individualised maintenance dose (200–1,600 micrograms twice daily).  
 
The primary study endpoint was the time to first occurrence of a morbidity or mortality event up to 
end of treatment, defined as a composite of death (all causes); or hospitalisation for PAH; or 
progression of PAH resulting in need for lung transplantation or balloon atrial septostomy; or initiation 
of parenteral prostanoid therapy or chronic oxygen therapy; or other disease-progression events 
(patients in WHO FC II or III at baseline) confirmed by a decrease in 6-minute walk distance 
(6MWD) from baseline (≥ 15%) and worsening of WHO FC or (patients in WHO FC III or IV at 
baseline) confirmed by a decrease in 6MWD from baseline (≥ 15%) and need for additional 
PAH-specific therapy.  
 
All events were confirmed by an independent adjudication committee, blinded to treatment allocation.  
 
The mean age was 48.1 years (range 18–80 years of age), with the majority of subjects being 
Caucasian (65.0%) and female (79.8%). 17.9% of patients were ≥ 65 and 1.1% ≥ 75 years of age. 
Approximately 1%, 46%, 53%, and 1% of patients were in WHO FC I, II, III and IV, respectively, at 
baseline. 
 
Idiopathic or heritable PAH was the most common aetiology in the study population (58%) followed 
by PAH due to connective tissue disorders (29%), PAH associated with simple corrected congenital 
heart disease (10%), and PAH associated with other aetiologies (drugs and toxins [2%] and HIV 
[1%]). 
 
At baseline, the majority of enrolled patients (80%) were being treated with a stable dose of a specific 
therapy for PAH, either an ERA (15%) or a PDE-5 inhibitor (32%) or both an ERA and a PDE-5 
inhibitor (33%). 
 
The overall median double-blind treatment duration was 63.7 weeks for the placebo group and 
70.7 weeks for the selexipag group. 23% of patients on selexipag achieved maintenance doses in the 
range of 200–400 micrograms, 31% achieved doses in the range of 600–1,000 micrograms, and 43% 
achieved doses in the range of 1,200–1,600 micrograms.  
 
Treatment with selexipag 200–1,600 micrograms twice daily resulted in a 40% reduction (hazard ratio 
[HR] 0.60; 99% CI: 0.46, 0.78; one-sided log-rank p value < 0.0001) of the occurrence of morbidity or 
mortality events up to 7 days after last dose compared to placebo (Figure 1). The beneficial effect of 
selexipag was primarily attributable to a reduction in hospitalisation for PAH and a reduction in other 
disease-progression events (Table 1). 
 



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Figure 1 Kaplan-Meier estimates of the first morbidity-mortality event 

 
 
Table 1 Summary of outcome events 

Endpoints & 
statistics 

Patients with an 
event  Treatment comparison: selexipag vs placebo 

Placebo 
(N=582) 

Selexipag 
(N=574) 

Absolute 
risk 

reduction 

Relative risk 
reduction 
(99% CI) 

HR 
(99% CI) p-value  

Morbidity-
mortality event a 

58.3% 41.8% 16.5% 40% (22%; 54%) 
0.60 

(0.46; 0.78) < 0.0001 

Hospitalisation 
due to PAH b 
n (%) 

109 
(18.7%) 

78 
(13.6%) 5.1% 

33% 
(2%; 54%) 

0.67 
(0.46; 0.98) 0.04 

Disease 
progression b 
n (%) 

100 
(17.2%) 

38 
(6.6%) 10.6% 

64% 
(41%; 78%) 

0.36 
(0.22; 0.59) < 0.0001 



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i.v./s.c.  
Prostanoid 
initiation or 
oxygen therapy b c 
n (%) 

15 
(2.6%) 

11 
(1.9%) 0.7% 

32% 
(−90%; 76%) 

0.68 
(0.24; 1.90) 0.53 

Death up to EOT 
+ 7 daysd 
n (%) 

37 
(6.4%) 

46 
(8.0%) −1.7% 

−17% 
(−107%;34%) 

1.17 
(0.66, 2.07) 0.77 

Death up to study 
closure d 
n (%) 

105 
(18.0%) 

100 
(17.4%) 0.6% 

3% 
(−39%; 32%) 

0.97 
(0.68; 1.39) 0.42 

CI = confidence interval; EOT = end of treatment; HR = hazard ratio; i.v. = intravenous; PAH = pulmonary arterial 
hypertension; s.c. = subcutaneous. 

(a) % of patients with an event at 36 months = 100 × (1 – Kaplan-Meier estimate); hazard ratio estimated using Cox’s 
proportional hazard model; unstratified one-sided log-rank p-value 

(b) % of patients with an event as part of the primary endpoint up to EOT + 7 days; hazard ratio estimated using Aalen 
Johansen method; 2-sided p-value using Gray’s test 

(c) Includes ‘Need for lung transplantation or atrial septostomy’ (1 patient on selexipag and 2 on placebo) 
(d) % of patients with an event up to EOT + 7 days or up to study closure; hazard ratio estimated using Cox’s proportional 

hazard model; unstratified one-sided log-rank p-value 
 
The numerical increase in deaths up to end of treatment + 7 days but not up to study closure was 
further investigated by mathematical modelling, showing that the imbalance in deaths is consistent 
with the assumption of a neutral effect on PAH mortality and reduction of non-fatal events. 
 
The observed effect of selexipag versus placebo on the primary endpoint was consistent across 
individualised maintenance dose as shown by the hazard ratio for the three pre-defined categories 
(0.60 for 200–400 micrograms twice daily, 0.53 for 600–1,000 micrograms twice daily, and 0.64 for 
1,200–1,600 micrograms twice daily), which was consistent with the overall treatment effect (0.60). 
 
The efficacy of selexipag on the primary endpoint was consistent across subgroups of age, sex, race, 
aetiology, geographical region, WHO FC, and as monotherapy or in combination with an ERA or a 
PDE-5 inhibitor or triple combination with both an ERA and a PDE-5 inhibitor. 
 
Time to PAH-related death or hospitalisation for PAH was assessed as a secondary endpoint. The risk 
of an event for this endpoint was reduced by 30% in patients receiving selexipag compared to placebo 
(HR 0.70, 99% CI: 0.50, 0.98; one-sided log-rank p = 0.0031). The percentages of patients with an 
event at Month 36 were 28.9% and 41.3% in the selexipag and placebo groups, respectively, with an 
absolute risk reduction of 12.4%.  
 
The number of patients who experienced, as a first event, death due to PAH or hospitalisation for PAH 
up to end of treatment was 102 (17.8%) in the selexipag group and 137 (23.5%) in the placebo group. 
Death due to PAH as a component of the endpoint was observed in 16 (2.8%) patients on selexipag 
and 14 (2.4%) on placebo. Hospitalisation for PAH was observed in 86 (15.0%) patients on selexipag 
and 123 (21.1%) patients on placebo. Selexipag reduced the risk of hospitalisation for PAH as a first 
outcome event compared to placebo (HR 0.67, 99% CI: 0.46, 0.98; one-sided log-rank p = 0.04). 
 
The total number of deaths of all causes up to study closure was 100 (17.4%) for the selexipag group 
and 105 (18.0%) for the placebo group (HR 0.97, 99% CI: 0.68, 1.39). The number of deaths due to 
PAH up to study closure was 70 (12.2%) for the selexipag group and 83 (14.3%) for the placebo 
group. 
 
Symptomatic endpoints 
Exercise capacity was evaluated as a secondary endpoint. Median 6MWD at baseline was 376 m 
(range: 90–482 m) and 369 m (range: 50–515 m) in selexipag patients and placebo patients, 
respectively. Treatment with selexipag resulted in a placebo-corrected median effect on 6MWD 
measured at trough (i.e., approximately 12 h post-dose) of 12 m at Week 26 (99% CI: 1, 24 m; 



14 

one-sided p value = 0.0027). In patients without concurrent PAH-specific therapy, the 
placebo-corrected treatment effect measured at trough was 34 m (99% CI: 10, 63 m). 
 
Quality of life was assessed in a subset of patients in the GRIPHON study using the Cambridge 
Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) questionnaire. There was no significant 
treatment effect from baseline to Week 26. 
 
Paediatric population 
 
The European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with 
Uptravi in one or more subsets of the paediatric population for treatment of pulmonary hypertension, 
(see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use). 
 
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties 
 
The pharmacokinetics of selexipag and its active metabolite have been studied primarily in healthy 
subjects. The pharmacokinetics of selexipag and the active metabolite, both after single- and 
multiple-dose administration, were dose-proportional up to a single dose of 800 micrograms and 
multiple doses of up to 1,800 micrograms twice daily. After multiple-dose administration, steady state 
conditions of selexipag and the active metabolite were reached within 3 days. No accumulation in 
plasma, either of parent compound or active metabolite, occurred after multiple-dose administration. 
 
In healthy subjects, inter-subject variability in exposure (area under the curve over a dosing interval) at 
steady state was 43% and 39% for selexipag and the active metabolite, respectively. Intra-subject 
variability in exposure was 24% and 19% for selexipag and the active metabolite, respectively. 
 
Exposure to selexipag and the active metabolite at steady state in PAH patients and healthy subjects 
was similar. The pharmacokinetics of selexipag and the active metabolite in PAH patients were not 
influenced by the severity of the disease and did not change with time. 
 
Absorption 
 
Selexipag is rapidly absorbed and is hydrolysed by carboxylesterases to its active metabolite.  
 
Maximum observed plasma concentrations of selexipag and its active metabolite after oral 
administration are reached within 1–3 h and 3–4 h, respectively. 
 
The absolute bioavailability of selexipag in humans is approximately 49%. This is most probably due 
to a first-pass effect of selexipag, as plasma concentrations of the active metabolite are similar after 
the same oral and intravenous dose administration. 
 
In the presence of food, the exposure to selexipag after a single dose of 400 micrograms was increased 
by 10% in Caucasian subjects and decreased by 15% in Japanese subjects, whereas exposure to the 
active metabolite was decreased by 27% (Caucasian subjects) and 12% (Japanese subjects). More 
subjects reported adverse events after administration in the fasted than in the fed state. 
 
Distribution 
 
Selexipag and its active metabolite are highly bound to plasma proteins (approximately 99% in total 
and to the same extent to albumin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein). The volume of distribution of 
selexipag at steady state is 11.7 L. 
 
Biotransformation 
 
Selexipag is hydrolysed to its active metabolite in the liver and in the intestine by carboxylesterases. 
Oxidative metabolism catalysed mainly by CYP2C8 and to a smaller extent by CYP3A4 leads to the 
formation of hydroxylated and dealkylated products. UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 are involved in the 



15 

glucuronidation of the active metabolite. Except for the active metabolite, none of the circulating 
metabolites in human plasma exceed 3% of the total drug-related material. Both in healthy subjects 
and PAH patients, after oral administration, exposure at steady state to the active metabolite is 
approximately 3- to 4-fold higher than to the parent compound. 
 
Elimination 
 
Elimination of selexipag is predominantly via metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of 0.8–2.5 h. 
The active metabolite has a half-life of 6.2–13.5 h. The total body clearance of selexipag is 17.9 L/h. 
Excretion in healthy subjects was complete 5 days after administration and occurred primarily via 
faeces (accounting for 93% of the administered dose) compared to 12% in urine. 
 
Special populations 
 
No clinically relevant effects of sex, race, age, or body weight on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag 
and its active metabolite have been observed in healthy subjects or PAH patients. 
 
Renal impairment 
 
A 1.4- to 1.7-fold increase in exposure (maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma 
concentration-time curve) to selexipag and its active metabolite was observed in subjects with severe 
renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2). 
 
Hepatic impairment 
 
In subjects with mild (Child-Pugh class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh class B) hepatic impairment, 
exposure to selexipag was 2- and 4-fold higher, respectively, when compared to healthy subjects. 
Exposure to the active metabolite remained almost unchanged in subjects with mild hepatic 
impairment and was doubled in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment. Only two subjects with 
severe (Child-Pugh class C) hepatic impairment were dosed with selexipag. Exposure to selexipag and 
its active metabolite in these two subjects was similar to that in subjects with moderate (Child-Pugh 
class B) hepatic impairment. 
 
Based on modelling and simulation data from a study in subjects with hepatic impairment, the 
exposure to selexipag at steady state in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh 
class B) after a once-daily regimen is predicted to be approximately 2-fold higher than that in healthy 
subjects during a twice-daily regimen. The exposure to the active metabolite at steady state in these 
patients during a once-daily regimen is predicted to be similar to that in healthy subjects during a 
twice-daily regimen. Subjects with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) showed similar 
predicted exposure at steady state as subjects with moderate hepatic impairment during a once-daily 
regimen. 
 
5.3 Preclinical safety data 
 
In the repeated-dose toxicity studies in rodents, strong blood pressure decrease as a result of 
exaggerated pharmacology induced transient clinical signs and reduced food consumption and 
body-weight gain. In adult and juvenile dogs, intestine and bone / bone marrow were identified as the 
main target organs after treatment with selexipag. A delay in the closure of the femoral and/or tibial 
epiphyseal growth plate was observed in juvenile dogs. A no-observed-adverse-effect level was not 
established. In juvenile dogs, intussusception due to prostacyclin-related effects on intestinal motility 
was observed sporadically. Safety margins adapted for IP receptor potency for the active metabolite 
were 2-fold (based on total exposure) in relation to human therapeutic exposure. The finding did not 
occur in mouse or rat toxicity studies. Because of the species-specific sensitivity of dogs to develop 
intussusception, this finding is considered not relevant for adult humans.  
 



16 

Increased bone ossification and related changes in the bone marrow in dog studies are considered to be 
due to the activation of EP4 receptors in dogs. As human EP4 receptors are not activated by selexipag 
or its active metabolite, this effect is species-specific and, therefore, not relevant to humans.  
 
Selexipag and the active metabolite are not genotoxic on the basis of the overall evidence of conducted 
genotoxicity studies. 
 
In the 2-year carcinogenicity studies, selexipag caused an increased incidence of thyroid adenomas in 
mice and Leydig cell adenomas in rats. The mechanisms are rodent-specific. Tortuosity of retinal 
arterioles was noted after 2 years of treatment only in rats. Mechanistically, the effect is considered to 
be induced by life-long vasodilation and subsequent changes in ocular haemodynamics. Additional 
histopathological findings of selexipag were observed only at exposures sufficiently in excess of the 
maximum human exposure, indicating little relevance to humans.  
 
In a fertility study performed in rats, a prolongation of oestrus cycles resulting in increases in days 
until copulation was observed at exposures 173-fold above therapeutic exposures (based on total 
exposures), the no-observed-effect level being 30-fold above therapeutic exposures. Otherwise, 
fertility parameters were not affected. 
 
Selexipag was not teratogenic in rats and rabbits (exposure margins above therapeutic exposure of 
13-fold for selexipag and 43-fold for the active metabolite, based on total exposure). Safety margins 
for potential IP receptor-related effects on reproduction were 20 for fertility and 5 and 1 (based on free 
exposure) for embryo-foetal development in rats and rabbits, respectively, when adapted for 
differences in receptor potency. In the rat pre-/post-natal development study, selexipag induced no 
effects on maternal and pup reproductive function. 
 
 
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS 
 
6.1 List of excipients 
 
Tablet core 
Mannitol (E421), 
maize starch, 
low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, 
hydroxypropyl cellulose, 
magnesium stearate. 
 
Film coating 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide yellow (E172),  
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide red (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 



17 

iron oxide red (E172), 
iron oxide black (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide yellow (E172), 
iron oxide black (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide red (E172), 
iron oxide yellow (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide black (E172), 
iron oxide red (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide yellow (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablet  
Hypromellose, 
propylene glycol, 
titanium dioxide (E171), 
iron oxide black (E172), 
iron oxide red (E172), 
iron oxide yellow (E172), 
carnauba wax. 
 
6.2 Incompatibilities 
 
Not applicable. 
 
6.3 Shelf life 
 
3 years  
 
6.4 Special precautions for storage 
 
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. 
 
 



18 

6.5 Nature and contents of container  
 
Polyamide / aluminium / HDPE / PE with an embedded desiccant agent / HDPE blister sealed with an 
aluminium foil. 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets 
 
Cartons of 10 or 60 film-coated tablets, and 60 or 140 film-coated tablets (titration packs). 
 
Uptravi 400 microgram, 600 microgram, 800 microgram, 1,000 microgram, 1,200 microgram, 
1,400 microgram, and 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets 
 
Cartons of 60 film-coated tablets. 
 
Not all pack sizes may be marketed. 
 
6.6 Special precautions for disposal  
 
No special requirements for disposal. 
 
 
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
Janssen-Cilag International NV 
Turnhoutseweg 30 
B-2340 Beerse 
Belgium 
 
 
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 
 
EU/1/15/1083/001 
EU/1/15/1083/002 
EU/1/15/1083/003 
EU/1/15/1083/004 
EU/1/15/1083/005 
EU/1/15/1083/006 
EU/1/15/1083/007 
EU/1/15/1083/008 
EU/1/15/1083/009 
EU/1/15/1083/010 
EU/1/15/1083/011 
 
 
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION 
 
Date of first authorisation: 12 May 2016 
 
 
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT 
 
 
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu. 
  



19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX II 
 

A. MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH 
RELEASE 

 
B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY 

AND USE 
 

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE 
MARKETING AUTHORISATION 

 
D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO 

THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL 
PRODUCT 

 
  



20 

A. MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE 
 
Name and address of the manufacturer(s) responsible for batch release 
 
Actelion Manufacturing GmbH 
Emil-Barell-Strasse 7 
79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen 
Germany 
 
Actelion Pharmaceuticals Belgium NV 
Bedrijvenlaan 1 
2800 Mechelen 
Belgium 
 
The printed package leaflet of the medicinal product must state the name and address of the 
manufacturer responsible for the release of the concerned batch. 
 
 
B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE  
 
Medicinal product subject to restricted medical prescription (see Annex I: Summary of Product 
Characteristics, section 4.2). 
 
 
C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 

AUTHORISATION 
 
• Periodic Safety Update Reports 
 
The requirements for submission of periodic safety update reports for this medicinal product are 
set out in the list of Union reference dates (EURD list) provided for under Article 107c(7) of 
Directive 2001/83/EC and any subsequent updates published on the European medicines 
web-portal. 
 
 
D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 

EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
• Risk Management Plan (RMP) 
 
The MAH shall perform the required pharmacovigilance activities and interventions detailed in 
the agreed RMP presented in Module 1.8.2 of the Marketing Authorisation and any agreed 
subsequent updates of the RMP. 
 
An updated RMP should be submitted: 

• At the request of the European Medicines Agency; 
• Whenever the risk management system is modified, especially as the result of new 

information being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit/risk profile or 
as the result of an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being 
reached. 

 
• Additional risk minimisation measures 
 
Prior to the launch of Uptravi in each Member State, the MAH must agree on the content and format 
of the Controlled Access System with the National Competent Authority.  
 



21 

The Controlled Access System is aimed to facilitate the identification of prescribers, to approach them 
with the appropriate information on the safe and effective use of Uptravi, and to provide them with 
risk minimisation tools, especially regarding the potential risk of medication error. The Controlled 
Access System should include three key principles that will be incorporated within each system in all 
Member States. These are:  

• The identification and maintenance of a list of all Uptravi prescribers;  
• The distribution of kits to all identified prescribers to minimise the risks of medication error in 

particular; 
• Tracking of the receipt of the kits by prescribers. 

 
The MAH shall ensure that in each Member State where Uptravi is marketed, all healthcare 
professionals who are expected to prescribe and/or dispense Uptravi are provided with a Prescriber Kit 
containing the following: 

• The Summary of Product Characteristics for Uptravi; 
• Cover letter to the healthcare professional;  
• Healthcare professional A4 laminated titration guide; 
• Patient titration guide; 
• Patient Leaflet. 

 
The cover letter to the healthcare professional should explain that the purpose of the educational 
materials is to reduce the risk of medication error due to the availability of multiple tablets and dose 
strengths, and it should provide a list of the contents of the Prescriber Kit. 
 
The healthcare professional A4 laminated titration guide is intended to reduce the risk of medication 
error due to the titration phase at treatment initiation with Uptravi and it should contain the following 
key elements: 

• The dosing and titration concept; 
• The move to the maintenance dose (titration phase); 
• Expectations and management of adverse events during the titration phase; 
• Encouragement and guidance for healthcare professionals to communicate clearly with the 

patient during their first visit, as well as to take responsibility to contact the patient during the 
titration phase, facilitating communication between healthcare professional and the patient 
(need for contact and to schedule telephone calls). 

 
The patient titration guide to be used by the healthcare professionals during discussions with the 
patient should contain the following key elements: 

• Lay language version of the healthcare professional A4 laminated titration guide; 
• Diary to facilitate Uptravi use and serve as a reminder for the patients (e.g., to contact her/his 

doctor), and a place to record intake of tablets; 
• Information about the safe and effective use of Uptravi in lay language. 

 
The patient titration guide along with the Patient Information Leaflet should be given to the patient 
after the demonstration. The patients will receive an identical titration guide and Patient Leaflet in 
their titration packs of Uptravi. 
 
 
  



22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX III 
 

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET 
  



23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A. LABELLING 



24 

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
OUTER CARTON - TITRATION PACK 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets 
 
selexipag 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each film-coated tablet contains 200 micrograms of selexipag 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
60 or 140 film-coated tablets 
 
Titration pack 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet and titration guide before use. 
 
Oral use 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 
 
8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
 



25 

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
Janssen-Cilag International NV 
Turnhoutseweg 30 
B-2340 Beerse 
Belgium 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/15/1083/003 
EU/1/15/1083/001 
EU/1/15/1083/002 
EU/1/15/1083/004 
EU/1/15/1083/005 
EU/1/15/1083/006 
EU/1/15/1083/007 
EU/1/15/1083/008 
EU/1/15/1083/009 
EU/1/15/1083/010 
EU/1/15/1083/011 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram  
 
17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE 
 
2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included. 
 
 
18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA 
 
PC: 
SN: 
NN: 
 
  



26 

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
OUTER CARTON 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets  
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets 
 
selexipag  
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S) 
 
Each film-coated tablet contains 200 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 400 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 600 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 800 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,000 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,200 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,400 micrograms of selexipag 
Each film-coated tablet contains 1,600 micrograms of selexipag 
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
10 film-coated tablets 
60 film-coated tablets 
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Oral use 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 

OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. 
 
 
 



27 

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 
 
8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
Janssen-Cilag International NV 
Turnhoutseweg 30 
B-2340 Beerse 
Belgium 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)  
 
EU/1/15/1083/001 
EU/1/15/1083/002 
EU/1/15/1083/003 
EU/1/15/1083/004 
EU/1/15/1083/005 
EU/1/15/1083/006 
EU/1/15/1083/007 
EU/1/15/1083/008 
EU/1/15/1083/009 
EU/1/15/1083/010 
EU/1/15/1083/011 
 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
  



28 

 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram 
Uptravi 400 microgram 
Uptravi 600 microgram 
Uptravi 800 microgram 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram 
 
 
17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE 
 
2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included. 
 
 
18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA 
 
PC: 
SN: 
NN: 
 
 
  



29 

MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTERS OR STRIPS 
 
BLISTERS 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram tablets  
Uptravi 400 microgram tablets 
Uptravi 600 microgram tablets 
Uptravi 800 microgram tablets 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram tablets 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram tablets 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram tablets 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram tablets 
 
selexipag 
 
 
2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
Janssen-Cilag Int 
 
 
3. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
4. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot 
 
 
5. OTHER 
 
 
  



30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

B. PACKAGE LEAFLET 



31 

Package leaflet: Information for the patient 
 

Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets 

Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets 

Selexipag 
 

This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new 
safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. See the end of section 4 
for how to report side effects. 
 
Read all of this leaflet carefully before taking this medicine because it contains important 
information for you. 
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. 
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or nurse.  
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, 

even if their signs of illness are the same as yours. 
- If you have any side effects, talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects 

not listed in this leaflet (see section 4). 
 
What is in this leaflet 
 
1. What Uptravi is and what it is used for  
2. What you need to know before you take Uptravi 
3. How to take Uptravi 
4. Possible side effects  
5. How to store Uptravi  
6. Contents of the package and other information 
 
 
1. What Uptravi is and what it is used for 
 
Uptravi is a medicine that contains the active substance selexipag. It acts on blood vessels in a similar 
way to the natural substance prostacyclin, making them relax and widen. 
 
Uptravi is used for the long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adult patients 
insufficiently controlled with other types of medicines for PAH known as endothelin receptor 
antagonists and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Uptravi can be used on its own if the patient is not 
a candidate for these medicines.  
 
PAH is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs (the 
pulmonary arteries). In people with PAH, these arteries narrow, so the heart has to work harder to 
pump blood through them. This may cause people to feel tired, dizzy, short of breath, or experience 
other symptoms. 
 
By mimicking the action of prostacyclin, Uptravi widens the pulmonary arteries and reduces their 
hardening. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood through the pulmonary arteries. It relieves 
the symptoms of PAH and improves the course of the disease. 
 
 
2. What you need to know before you take Uptravi 
 



32 

Do not take Uptravi 
 
- if you are allergic to selexipag or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in 

section 6). 
- if you have a heart problem, such as: 

- poor blood flow to the heart muscles (severe coronary heart disease or unstable angina); 
symptoms can include chest pain 

- heart attack within the last 6 months 
- weak heart (decompensated cardiac failure) that is not under close medical observation 
- severe irregular heartbeat 
- defect of the heart valves (inborn or acquired) that causes the heart to work poorly (not 

related to pulmonary hypertension) 
- if you have had a stroke within the last 3 months, or any other occurrence that reduced the blood 

supply to the brain (e.g., transient ischaemic attack) 
- if you are taking gemfibrozil (medicine used to lower the level of fats [lipids] in the blood) 
 
Warnings and precautions 
 
Talk to your PAH doctor or nurse before taking Uptravi if you 
- are taking medicines for high blood pressure  
- have low blood pressure associated with symptoms such as dizziness 
- have recently experienced significant blood loss or fluid loss such as severe diarrhoea or 

vomiting 
- have problems with your thyroid gland 
- have severe problems with your kidneys or are undergoing dialysis 
- have or have had severe problems with your liver not working properly 
 
If you notice any of the above signs or your condition changes, tell your doctor immediately. 
 
Children and adolescents 
 
Do not give this medicine to children under 18 years of age, because Uptravi has not been tested in 
children. 
 
Elderly patients 
 
There is limited experience with Uptravi in patients older than 75 years. Uptravi should be used with 
caution in this age group. 
 
Other medicines and Uptravi 
 
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. 
Taking other medicines may affect how Uptravi works. 
 
Talk to your PAH doctor or nurse if you are taking any of the following medicines: 
- Gemfibrozil (medicine used to lower the level of fats [lipids] in the blood) 
- Clopidogrel (medicine used to inhibit blood clots in coronary artery disease) 
- Deferasirox (medicine used to remove iron from the blood stream) 
- Teriflunomide (medicine used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis) 
- Carbamazepine (medicine used to treat some forms of epilepsy, nerve pain or to help control 

serious mood disorders when some other medicines do not work) 
- Phenytoin (medicine used to treat epilepsy) 
- Valproic acid (medicine used to treat epilepsy) 
- Probenecid (medicine used to treat gout) 
- Fluconazole, rifampicin or rifapentine (antibiotics used to treat infections) 
 
 



33 

Pregnancy and breast-feeding 
 
Uptravi is not recommended during pregnancy and breast-feeding. If you are a woman who can have 
children, you should use an effective contraceptive method while taking Uptravi. If you are pregnant 
or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for 
advice before taking this medicine. 
 
Driving and using machines 
 
Uptravi can cause side effects such as headaches and low blood pressure (see section 4), which may 
affect your ability to drive; the symptoms of your condition can also make you less fit to drive.  
 
 
3. How to take Uptravi 
 
Uptravi should only be prescribed by a doctor experienced in the treatment of PAH. Always take 
Uptravi exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure or have any 
questions. 
 
Tell your doctor if you experience side effects, as your doctor may recommend that you change your 
Uptravi dose.  
 
Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications as your doctor may recommend that you take 
Uptravi only once daily. 
 
If you have poor vision or experience any type of blindness, get help from another person when taking 
Uptravi during the titration period. 
 
Finding the right dose for you 
 
At the start of treatment, you will take the lowest dose. This is one 200 microgram tablet in the 
morning and another 200 microgram tablet in the evening. Treatment should be initiated in the 
evening. Your doctor will instruct you to gradually increase your dose. This is called titration. It lets 
your body adjust to the new medicine. The goal of titration is to reach the most appropriate dose. This 
will be the highest dose you can tolerate, which may reach the maximum dose of 1,600 micrograms in 
the morning and in the evening.  
 
The first pack of tablets you receive will contain the light-yellow 200 microgram tablets.  
Your doctor will tell you to increase your dose in steps, usually every week but the interval between 
increases could be longer.  
 
With each step, you will add one 200 microgram tablet to your morning dose and another 
200 microgram tablet to your evening dose. The first intake of the increased dose should be in the 
evening. The diagram below shows the number of tablets to take every morning and every evening 
for the first 4 steps. 
 
 



34 

 
 
 
If your doctor instructs you to further increase your dose and move to step 5, this may be done by 
taking one green 800 microgram tablet and one light-yellow 200 microgram tablet in the morning and 
one 800 microgram tablet and one 200 microgram tablet in the evening.  
 
If your doctor tells you to increase your dose further, you will add one 200 microgram tablet to your 
morning dose and one 200 microgram tablet to your evening dose with each new step. The first intake 
of the increased dose should be in the evening. The maximum dose of Uptravi is 1,600 micrograms in 
the morning and 1,600 micrograms in the evening. However, not every patient will reach this dose, 
because different patients require different doses. 
 
The diagram below shows the number of tablets to take every morning and every evening at each 
step, starting with step 5. 
 
 



35 

 
 
 
The titration pack also contains a titration guide providing information on the titration process and 
allowing you to record the number of tablets you take every day.  
 
Remember to record the number of tablets you take every day in your titration diary. The titration 
steps usually last about 1 week. If your doctor instructs you to prolong each titration step longer than 
1 week, there are additional diary pages to allow you to track this. Remember to talk to your PAH 
doctor or nurse regularly during titration. 
 
Stepping down to a lower dose due to side effects 
 
During titration, you may experience side effects such as headache, diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), 
being sick (vomiting), jaw pain, muscle pain, leg pain, joint pain, or reddening of the face (see 
section 4). If these side effects are difficult for you to tolerate, talk to your doctor about how to 
manage or treat them. There are treatments available that can help relieve the side effects. For 
example, painkillers such as paracetamol may help treat pain and headache. 
 
If the side effects cannot be treated or do not gradually get better on the dose you are taking, your 
doctor may adjust your dose by reducing the number of 200 microgram light-yellow tablets you take 
by one in the morning and by one in the evening. The diagram below shows stepping down to a lower 
dose. Do this only if instructed to do so by your doctor. 
 
 



36 

 
 
 
If your side effects are manageable after stepping down your dose, your doctor may decide that you 
should stay on that dose. Please see section Maintenance dose below for more information. 
 
Maintenance dose 
 
The highest dose that you can tolerate during titration will become your maintenance dose. Your 
maintenance dose is the dose you should continue to take on a regular basis. 
 
Your doctor will prescribe a suitable tablet strength for your maintenance dose. This allows you to 
take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening, instead of multiple tablets each time. 
 
For a full description of Uptravi tablets, including colours and marking, please see section 6 of this 
leaflet. 
 
Over time, your doctor may adjust your maintenance dose as needed. 
 
If, at any time, after taking the same dose for a long time, you experience side effects that you cannot 
tolerate or side effects that have an impact on your normal daily activities, contact your doctor as your 
dose may need to be reduced. The doctor may then prescribe you a lower single-tablet strength. Please 
remember to dispose of unused tablets (see section 5). 
 
Take Uptravi once in the morning and once in the evening, about 12 hours apart. 
Take the tablets with meals as you might tolerate your medicine better. Swallow the tablets whole with 
a glass of water. Do not split, crush or chew the tablets. 
 
If you take more Uptravi than you should 
 
If you have taken more tablets than you have been told to take, ask your doctor for advice. 
 
If you forget to take Uptravi 
 
If you forget to take Uptravi, take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue to take your tablets 
at the usual times. If it is nearly time for your next dose (within 6 hours before you would normally 
take it), you should skip the missed dose and continue to take your medicine at the usual time. Do not 
take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. 
 
 



37 

If you stop taking Uptravi 
 
Suddenly stopping your treatment with Uptravi might lead to your symptoms getting worse. Do not 
stop taking Uptravi unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may tell you to reduce the dose 
gradually before stopping completely. 
 
If, for any reason, you stop taking Uptravi for more than 3 consecutive days (if you missed 3 morning 
and 3 evening doses, or 6 doses in a row or more), contact your doctor immediately as your dose 
may need to be adjusted to avoid side effects. Your doctor may decide to restart your treatment on a 
lower dose, gradually increasing to your previous maintenance dose. 
 
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or nurse. 
 
 
4. Possible side effects 
 
Like all medicines, Uptravi can cause side effects. You may experience side effects not only during 
the titration period when your dose is being increased, but also later after taking the same dose for a 
long time.  
 
If you experience any of these side effects: headache, diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), being sick 
(vomiting), jaw pain, muscle pain, leg pain, joint pain, or reddening of the face, that you cannot 
tolerate or that cannot be treated, you should contact your doctor as the dose you are taking 
maybe too high for you and may need to be reduced. 
 
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) 
- Headache 
- Flushing (reddening of the face) 
- Nausea and vomiting (feeling sick and being sick) 
- Diarrhoea 
- Jaw pain, muscle pain, joint pain, leg pain 
- Nasopharyngitis (stuffy nose) 
 
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) 
- Anaemia (low red blood cell levels) 
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) 
- Decreased appetite 
- Weight loss 
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) 
- Stomach pain 
- Pain 
- Changes in some blood test results including those measuring blood cell counts or your thyroid 

function 
- Rashes, including hives, may cause a burning or stinging sensation and skin redness 
 
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) 
- Increased heart rate 
 
Reporting of side effects 
If you have any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in 
this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in 
Appendix V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this 
medicine. 
 
 
5. How to store Uptravi 
 



38 

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. 
 
Do not use Uptravi after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton and on the blister after “EXP.” 
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 
 
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. 
 
No special requirements for disposal. 
 
 
6. Contents of the pack and other information 
 
What Uptravi contains 
 
- The active substance is selexipag. 

Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets contain 200 micrograms of selexipag  
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets contain 400 micrograms of selexipag 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets contain 600 micrograms of selexipag 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets contain 800 micrograms of selexipag 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets contain 1,000 micrograms of selexipag 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets contain 1,200 micrograms of selexipag 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets contain 1,400 micrograms of selexipag 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets contain 1,600 micrograms of selexipag 

 
- The other ingredients are: 

In the tablet core: 
Mannitol (E421), maize starch, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl 
cellulose, magnesium stearate. 

 
In the film coat: 
Hypromellose, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide (E171), carnauba wax and iron oxides (see 
below). 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide yellow (E172). 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide red (E172). 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide red and iron oxide black (E172). 
Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide yellow and iron oxide black 
(E172). 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow 
(E172). 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide black and iron oxide red 
(E172). 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide yellow (E172). 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets contain iron oxide black, iron oxide red and iron 
oxide yellow (E172). 

 
What Uptravi looks like and contents of the pack 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, light-yellow, film-coated tablets with “2” marked 
on one side. 
 
Uptravi 400 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, red, film-coated tablets with “4” marked on one 
side. 
 
Uptravi 600 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, light-violet, film-coated tablets with “6” marked 
on one side. 
 



39 

Uptravi 800 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, green, film-coated tablets with “8” marked on one 
side. 
 
Uptravi 1,000 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, orange, film-coated tablets with “10” marked on 
one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,200 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, dark-violet, film-coated tablets with “12” 
marked on one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,400 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, dark-yellow, film-coated tablets with “14” 
marked on one side. 
 
Uptravi 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets: Round, brown, film-coated tablets with “16” marked on 
one side. 
 
Uptravi 200 microgram film-coated tablets are supplied in blister packs of 10 or 60 tablets and 60 or 
140 tablets (titration packs).  
 
Uptravi 400 microgram, 600 microgram, 800 microgram, 1,000 microgram, 1,200 microgram, 
1,400 microgram, and 1,600 microgram film-coated tablets are supplied in blister packs of 60 tablets. 
 
Not all pack sizes may be marketed. 
 
Marketing Authorisation Holder  
Janssen-Cilag International NV 
Turnhoutseweg 30 
B-2340 Beerse 
Belgium 
 
Manufacturer  
Actelion Manufacturing GmbH 
Emil-Barell-Strasse 7 
79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen 
Germany 
 
Actelion Pharmaceuticals Belgium NV 
Bedrijvenlaan 1 
2800 Mechelen 
Belgium 
 
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder: 
 

België/Belgique/Belgien 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tél/Tel: +32-(0)15 284 777 
 

Lietuva 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +370 5 278 68 88 
 

България 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Teл.: +359 2 489 94 00 
 

Luxembourg/Luxemburg 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tél/Tel: +32-(0)15 284 777 
 



40 

Česká republika 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +420 221 968 006 
 

Magyarország 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +36 1 413 3270 
 

Danmark 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tlf: +45 3694 45 95 
 

Malta 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +356 2397 6000 
 

Deutschland 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +49 761 45 64 0 
 

Nederland 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +31 (0)348 435950 
 

Eesti 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +372 617 7410 
 

Norge 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tlf: +47 22480370 
 

Ελλάδα 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Τηλ: +30 210 675 25 00 
 

Österreich 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +43 1 505 4527 
 

España 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +34 93 366 43 99 
 

Polska 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +48 (22) 262 31 00 
 

France 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tél: +33 (0)1 55 00 26 66 
 

Portugal 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +351 214 368 600 
 

Hrvatska 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +385 1 6610 700 
 

România 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +40 21 207 1800 
 

Ireland 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +353 1 800 709 122 
 

Slovenija 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +386 1 401 18 00 
 

Ísland 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Sími: +46 8 544 982 50 
 

Slovenská republika 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +420 221 968 006 
 

Italia 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +39 0542 64 87 40 
 

Suomi/Finland 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Puh/Tel: +358 9 2510 7720 
 



41 

Κύπρος 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Τηλ: +30 210 675 25 00 
 

Sverige 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +46 8 544 982 50 

Latvija 
Actelion, a division of Janssen-Cilag 
International NV 
Tel: +371 678 93561 

United Kingdom 
Janssen-Cilag Ltd. 
Tel: +44 1 494 567 444 
 

 
This leaflet was last revised in  
 
 
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu. 
  



42 

TITRATION GUIDE - TITRATION PACK 
 
Page 1 

 
Uptravi film-coated tablets 
selexipag  
 
Titration Guide 
 
Starting Treatment With Uptravi 
 
Please read the accompanying patient information leaflet before starting treatment. Tell your doctor if you 
experience side effects, as your doctor may recommend that you change your Uptravi dose. Tell your doctor if 
you are taking other medications as your doctor may recommend that you take Uptravi only once daily. 

 
Page 2       Page 3 

Contents 
How should you take Uptravi? 
...................................4 
How should you step up your dose? 
...........................6 
What are the steps? 
.....................................................8 
When should you step down? 
...................................10 
Stepping down 
……………………………………..12 
 

 
When you move to your maintenance dose.............14 
If you forget to take Uptravi.....................................16 
If you stop taking Uptravi.........................................17 
Titration diary...........................................................18 
 
 

 
Page 4       Page 5 

 
How should you take Uptravi? 
Uptravi is a medicine taken every morning and 
evening for the treatment of pulmonary arterial 
hypertension, also called PAH. 
 
The starting dose for Uptravi is 200 micrograms once 
in the morning and once in the evening. 
The first intake of Uptravi should be in the evening. 
You should take each dose with a glass of water, 
preferably during a meal. 
 
 
 

 
There are 2 phases of treatment with Uptravi: 
 
Titration 
In the first several weeks, you will work with your 
doctor to find the dose of Uptravi that is right for 
you. Your doctor may have you step up from the 
starting dose to higher doses of Uptravi. Your doctor 
may step you down to a lower dose. This process is 
called titration. It lets your body gradually adjust to 
the medicine. 
 
Maintenance 
Once your doctor has found the dose that is right for 
you, this will be the dose you take on a regular basis. 
This is called the maintenance dose. 

 



43 

Page 6       Page 7 
 
How should you step up your dose? 
 
You will start at the 200 microgram dose in the 
morning and in the evening and after discussing with 
your doctor or nurse step up to the next dose.  
The first intake of the increased dose should be in the 
evening. Each step usually lasts about 1 week. It 
could take several weeks to find the dose that is right 
for you. 
 
The goal is to reach the dose that is most 
appropriate to treat you.  
This dose will be your maintenance dose. 

 
Every patient with PAH is different. Not everyone 
will end up on the same maintenance dose.  
Some patients may have 200 micrograms in the 
morning and in the evening as their maintenance 
dose, while some will reach the highest dose of 
1,600 micrograms in the morning and in the evening. 
Others may reach a maintenance dose somewhere 
inbetween. What is important is that you reach the 
dose that is most appropriate to treat you. 

 
Page 8       Page 9 

 
 
Page 10      Page 11 

 
↓When should you step down? 
 
As with all medicines, you may experience side 
effects with Uptravi as you step up to higher doses.  
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have side 
effects. There are treatments available that can 
help relieve them. 
 
The most common side effects (may affect more than 
1 in 10 people) you may experience while taking 
Uptravi are: 
• Headache • Diarrhoea • Nausea • Vomiting • Jaw 
pain • Muscle pain • Leg pain • Joint pain • Facial 
redness 
 
For a full list of side effects see package leaflet for 
further information. 
 

 
If you cannot tolerate the side effects even after your 
doctor or nurse has tried to treat them, he or she may 
recommend you step down to a lower dose. 
 
If your doctor or nurse tells you to step down to a 
lower dose, you should take one less 
200 microgram tablet in the morning and one less 
in the evening.  
 
You should only step down after speaking with your 
PAH doctor or nurse. This stepping-down process 
will help you find the dose that is right for you, also 
called your maintenance dose. 
 

 



44 

Page 12      Page 13 

 
 
Page 14      Page 15 

 
When you move to your maintenance dose 
 
The highest dose that you can tolerate during 
titration will become your maintenance dose. Your 
maintenance dose is the dose you should continue to 
take on a regular basis. Your doctor or nurse can 
prescribe an equivalent single-tablet strength for 
your maintenance dose. 
This lets you take just one tablet in the morning 
and one in the evening, instead of multiple tablets 
for each dose. 
 

 
For example, if your highest tolerated dose during 
titration was 1,200 micrograms once in the morning 
and once in the evening: 

 
 
Over time, your doctor or nurse may adjust your 
maintenance dose as needed. 
 

 
Page 16      Page 17 

 
If you forget to take Uptravi 
 
If you miss a dose, take the dose as soon as you 
remember, then continue to take your tablets at the 
usual times. If it is within 6 hours of when you would 
normally take your next dose, you should skip the 
missed dose and continue to take your medicine at 
the usual time.  
Do not take a double dose to make up for a 
forgotten tablet. 

 
If you stop taking Uptravi 
 
Do not stop taking Uptravi unless your doctor or 
nurse tells you to. If, for any reason, you stop taking 
Uptravi for more than 3 consecutive days (if you 
missed 6 doses in a row), contact your PAH doctor 
or nurse immediately as your dose may need to be 
adjusted to avoid side effects. 
 
Your doctor or nurse may have you resume treatment 
at a lower dose, gradually increasing to your previous 
maintenance dose. 

 



45 

Page 18      Page 19 
 
Titration diary 
 
Please read the instructions in the package leaflet 
carefully. 
 
The following diary pages help you keep track of the 
number of tablets you need to take in the morning and 
evening during titration. 
 
Use them to write down the number of tablets you 
take in the morning and the evening. 
 
Each step usually lasts about 1 week, unless your 
doctor or nurse instructs you otherwise. If your 
titration steps last longer than 1 week there are 
additional diary pages to track this. 
 

        Use pages 20 to 27 to track the first weeks of 
treatment, when you are using 
200 microgram tablets only (steps 1–4). 

   If you have been prescribed both 200 and 
800 microgram tablets, use pages 30 to 37 
(steps 5–8). 

 
Remember to talk to your PAH doctor or nurse 
regularly. 
 
Write down your doctor or nurse’s instructions: 
 
 
 
 
 
Doctor’s office telephone and e-mail: 
 
 
Pharmacist’s telephone: 
 
 
Notes: 
 

 
Page 20      Page 21 

 
 
Page 22      Page 23 

 
 



46 

Page 24      Page 25 

 
 
Page 26      Page 27 

 
 
Page 28      Page 29 

 
Use the following diary pages if your doctor or nurse 
prescribes 800 microgram tablets in addition to your 
200 microgram tablets.  
 
On the diary pages, check off that you have taken one 
800 microgram tablet every day in the morning and in 
the evening with your prescribed number of 
200 microgram tablets.  
 

 
 

 
Remember to talk to your PAH doctor or nurse 
regularly. 
 
Write down your doctor or nurse’s instructions: 
 
 
Doctor’s office telephone and e-mail: 
 
 
Pharmacist’s telephone: 
 
 
Notes: 
 
 
 

 
Page 30      Page 31 

 
 



47 

Page 32      Page 33 

 
 
Page 34      Page 35 

 
 
Page 36      Page 37 

 
 
Page 38      Page 39 

Notes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Page 40 

Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 
 

 

 
 


	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET