Biologically Active Substance
Epoprostenol Audio
pros·ta·cy·clin [ pros-tuh-sahy-klin ]
Brand Names:
Flolan; Veletri
Effect:
Arterial Vasodilation; Decreased Blood Pressure; Decreased Platelet Aggregation; Venous Vasodilation
May Treat:
Arteriosclerosis; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Peripheral Vascular Diseases; Purpura; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Scleroderma, Systemic
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to epoprostenol:
  • A prostaglandin that is a powerful vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is biosynthesized enzymatically from PROSTAGLANDIN ENDOPEROXIDES in human vascular tissue. The sodium salt has been also used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension (HYPERTENSION, PULMONARY).
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • An oral prostacyclin and a metabolite of arachidonic acid with antihypertensive and platelet inhibitory properties. Epoprostenol binds to prostacyclin receptors on platelet surfaces, subsequently activating platelet membrane adenyl cyclase and resulting in increased cAMP levels. The elevated cAMP triggers signal transduction that leads to vasodilations. In addition, this agent also functions as an antagonist of thromboxane A2, thereby resulting in direct vasodilation of pulmonary and systemic arterial vascular beds, and inhibition of platelet aggregation.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (prostacyclin) Prostaglandin synthesized by the vascular endothelium; potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and powerful vasodilator.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
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