Iloprost: Old and New Indications.

Abstract

Iloprost is a synthetic long-acting prostacyclin-analog drug used to treat various vascular diseases. The Federal Drug Administration approved the drug in 2004 for pulmonary arterial hypertension, and it has since been shown to be helpful in other vascular conditions such as scleroderma and Raynaud phenomenon. The Federal Drug Administration has now approved the use of iloprost for severe frostbite. This review summarizes the pharmacologic properties of iloprost, its clinical applications, and potential therapeutic benefits in vascular conditions.