Tyvaso Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Tyvaso (treprostinil) is an inhaled medication used to help improve the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It’s available in a liquid form that’s used with the Tyvaso Inhalation System and as a dry powder inhaler (Tyvaso DPI).
The typical starting dosage for the Tyvaso inhalation system is 3 breaths per session, 4 times per day. From there, the dosage can be increased to a target of 9 to 12 breaths per session.
The starting dosage for Tyvaso DPI is 16 mcg 4 times daily. From there, the dosage is typically increased to a target of 48 mcg to 64 mcg four times daily.
Table of contents
If you’re living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), exercise can be a challenge. That’s because it’s harder for your heart to deliver oxygen to your lungs. But medications can help open the blood vessels in your lungs to help your body get more oxygen and improve your ability to exercise. Tyvaso (treprostinil) is one example: it’s a medication that’s inhaled directly into your lungs.
But how do you use it, and what’s the recommended Tyvaso dosage?
What dosage forms does Tyvaso come in?
Tyvaso is an inhaled medication. It comes in two different forms: as a liquid, contained inside single-use ampules (sealed plastic vials), and as a dry powder inhaler (DPI).
Each Tyvaso ampule contains 1.74 mg of medication in 2.9 mL of liquid. You should only use Tyvaso ampules with the Tyvaso Inhalation System. You shouldn’t use it with any other type of nebulizer device. The ampules can be kept at room temperature.
The Tyvaso DPI uses single-use dry powder cartridges that come in the following doses:
16 mcg (purple)
32 mcg (dark blue)
48 mcg (light blue)
64 mcg (green)
Tyvaso DPI cartridges come in sealed blister packs. Sealed packs should be kept in the refrigerator for long-term storage. They’re also good for up to 8 weeks at room temperature. Once opened, don’t put a blister pack back in the fridge. The opened cartridges must be used within 3 days.
The Tyvaso Inhalation System device should be kept at room temperature. You should use a new medicine cup and filters each day. Be sure to clean it daily according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll need a new set of accessories each month, and a new machine every 2 years.
The Tyvaso DPI device can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Just be sure to let it sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before each use. You’ll need a new inhaler device every 7 days.
What’s the typical Tyvaso dosage for adults?
You’ll typically inhale Tyvaso 4 times each day. But your specific Tyvaso dosage will depend on what type of dosage form you’re using and how you respond to the medication.
The doses should be equally spaced apart during the hours you’re awake (about 4 hours apart). For example, if your first treatment is at 8AM, your next will be at 12PM, then 4PM, then 8PM. Your healthcare team can help you determine the best time for your doses based on your individual lifestyle and schedule.
Tyvaso Inhalation System
The typical starting dose of Tyvaso using the nebulizer is 3 breaths (18 mcg of medication) 4 times per day. If you’re unable to tolerate 3 breaths, your prescriber may have you inhale just 1 or 2 breaths per treatment and slowly increase to 3 breaths, as tolerated.
From there, you’ll increase each treatment by 3 additional breaths every 1 to 2 weeks as tolerated. The target Tyvaso dosage is 9 to 12 breaths per treatment.
Tyvaso DPI
When using the Tyvaso DPI, you’ll usually start with one 16 mcg cartridge 4 times per day. From there, your prescriber will likely increase your dosage by 16 mcg per treatment every 1 to 2 weeks as tolerated. The target Tyvaso DPI dosage is 48 mcg to 64 mcg per session.
Equivalent doses
In some cases, you may switch between using the Tyvaso Inhalation System and the Tyvaso DPI. The table below shows the equivalent doses between the two forms.
Tyvaso Inhalation System | Tyvaso DPI |
|---|---|
Less than or equal to 5 breaths (30 mcg or less) | 16 mcg |
6-7 breaths (36 mcg-42 mcg) | 32 mcg |
8-10 breaths (48 mcg-60 mcg) | 48 mcg |
11-12 breaths (66 mcg-72 mcg) | 64 mcg |
Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?
If you have liver problems, your body may not break down Tyvaso as quickly. This can increase Tyvaso levels in your body and lead to side effects. If you have mild or moderate liver problems, you may need to increase your dosage more slowly than usual. Your prescriber will let you know if you need to adjust your Tyvaso dosage for this reason. If you have more severe liver problems, your prescriber can tell you if Tyvaso is safe to use at all.
What happens if you miss a dose of Tyvaso?
If you miss a dosing session of Tyvaso, start your session as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to your next session, skip the missed one and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Don’t double up to make up for the missed dosing session.
Taking any medication 4 times per day can be hard to keep track of. You may want to consider using a medication reminder app or phone alarm to help.
What should you do if you take too much Tyvaso?
Since you control how much Tyvaso you inhale, it’s unlikely that you’ll use more than prescribed. But if you inhale more Tyvaso than recommended, it can lead to side effects such as flushing, headache, and low blood pressure. You may also have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you inhale too much Tyvaso, reach out to your prescriber or contact Poison Control online or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. If you notice any symptoms that seem severe or life-threatening, seek emergency care right away.
How to save on Tyvaso
There are ways to save on Tyvaso and Tyvaso DPI, which are only available as brand-name medications. Keep in mind that Tyvaso is considered a specialty medication, so it may only be available through a specialty pharmacy. But specialty pharmacy staff can typically offer extra support to help you access your medication at a more affordable or obtainable price.
If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Tyvaso or Tyvaso DPI using a copay savings card from the manufacturer. Other forms of financial assistance may be available through the manufacturer’s ASSIST program by calling 1-877-864-8437.
The bottom line
Tyvaso (treprostinil) is an inhaled medication that helps improve the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is available as a dry powder inhaler and in a liquid form that’s used with an inhalation system. You’ll inhale Tyvaso 4 times a day, with treatments evenly spaced during the hours you’re awake.
For the Tyvaso Inhalation System, you’ll typically start with a dosage of 3 breaths 4 times a day. The starting dosage for Tyvaso DPI is 16 mcg 4 times per day. For both forms of Tyvaso, you’ll slowly increase your dose every week or two as tolerated until you reach the target dosage.
Why trust our experts?
References
MedlinePlus. (2024). Treprostinil oral inhalation.
United Therapeutics Corporation. (2023). Tyvaso [package insert].
United Therapeutics Corporation. (2024). Tyvaso DPI [package insert].
Zare, P., et al. (2023). Treprostinil. StatPearls.
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