Description
Beraprost sodium is a new, orally active antithrombotic epoprostenol analog introduced as a treatment for peripheral vascular disease, including Raynaud's syndrome and
Buerger's disease. The antiplatelet activity may be due to its elevation of cyclic AMP
in platelets which is achieved by activating adenylate cyclase in the platelet membrane,
followed by the inhibition ofCa
++- influx and thromboxane A2 formation.
Description
Beraprost is an analog of prostacyclin in which the unstable enol-
ether has been replaced by a benzofuran ether function. This modification increases the plasma half-
life from 30 seconds to several hours, and permits the compound to be taken orally. Doses of 20-
100 μg in humans, given 1 to 3 times per day, have been demonstrated to improve clinical end points in diseases responsive to prostacyclin. Oral beraprost therapy improved the survival and pulmonary hemodynamics of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Beraprost inhibits platelet aggregation in healthy subjects and in diabetic patients at similar doses.
Chemical Properties
White Solid
Uses
Platelet aggregation inhibitor; stable analog of Prostacyclin. Antithrombotic; vasodilator (peripheral).
Definition
ChEBI: Beraprost sodium is the organic sodium salt of beraprost. It is used in the treatment of chronic arterial occlusive disease and primary pulmonary hypertension in Japan. It has a role as an antihypertensive agent, a platelet aggregation inhibitor, a prostaglandin receptor agonist, a vasodilator agent and an anti-inflammatory agent. It contains a beraprost(1-).
brand name
Dorner; Dorner;Procylin
General Description
Beraprost sodium is an orally active prostacyclin analog.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Beraprost sodium is used as a therapeutic agent for chronic artery obstructions or primary pulmonary hypertension. In individuals with coronary artery disease, beraprost sodium helps to reduce oxidative stress and developed forearm endothelium dependent vasodilation.
Side effects
Disease-related events had similar incidence in patients receiving beraprost and those receiving placebo. Drug-related adverse events like headache, flushing, jaw pain, and diarrhea were more common in patients treated with beraprost sodium and occurred mostly during the six-week titration period. The incidence was markedly reduced in the maintenance period. Six patients (9%) in the beraprost sodium group and two (3%) in the placebo group withdrew prematurely from the study because of adverse events. No clinically adverse changes in hematologic or biochemical variables were seen in the beraprost sodium group.
