Winrevair: A New Step Forward in Living With PAH
Introduction
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but serious lung condition that affects how blood flows through the lungs. 1,2 Over time, the blood vessels in the lungs become narrow and stiff, making it harder for the heart to pump blood.1 This can leave people feeling breathless, tired, and unable to do everyday activities like walking, or climbing stairs.3
Many medicines used today help ease symptoms, but for some patients the disease can still slowly worsen.1 Winrevair® (sotatercept) is a newer treatment that works in a different way.
What is Winrevair?
Winrevair is a prescription medicine approved for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).4
Most PAH medicines work by helping blood vessels relax and widen. Winrevair is different. It works on the disease process that causes the blood vessels in the lungs to thicken and narrow over time.5
How does Winrevair work?
Winrevair’s active ingredient, sotatercept, attaches to a protein called activin and blocks it. This helps stop the small blood vessels in the lungs from getting thick and narrow. As a result, the blood pressure in the lungs goes down, and the heart can pump blood more easily.2
Who Can Benefit from Winrevair?6
Winrevair is used in adults who have been diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension.4
The doctor may suggest Winrevair if:
- Your current PAH medicines are not controlling your symptoms well enough.
- You are already taking two or three PAH treatments (such as PDE5 inhibitors, ERAs, or prostacyclin‑based medicines) but still aren’t reaching treatment goals.
- You cannot tolerate certain PAH medicines or have a reason you cannot take them.
- Your doctor wants to add another treatment instead of switching to medicines like selexipag when moving toward triple therapy.
In short, Winrevair is usually added on when standard treatments aren’t working well enough or aren’t suitable for you.
Winrevair dosage and schedule4
Winrevair is taken once every 3 weeks.
The usual dosing plan includes:
- A starting dose based on your body weight
- A higher maintenance dose if blood test results remain stable
Your doctor will decide the exact dose for you and may adjust it based on lab results and how your body responds to treatment.
How Winrevair is given?
Winrevair is given as an injection just under the skin.4
What patients should know2:
- The injection is usually given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
- It is taken once every 3 weeks
- Some patients receive injections at a clinic, while others are trained to take it at home
Your healthcare team will explain how to prepare the injection, choose safe injection sites, and dispose of needles properly.
Missed dose and dose adjustments
If you miss a scheduled dose of Winrevair:
- Contact your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible
- Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed one
Sometimes, your doctor may delay or change your dose if blood tests show changes in hemoglobin or platelet levels. These adjustments are done to keep you safe while continuing treatment.2
Common side effects of Winrevair4
Like all medicines, Winrevair can cause side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- Headache
- Nosebleeds
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Diarrhoea
- Mild pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given
Serious side effects and warnings
Some side effects are more serious and need close monitoring:
- Easy bruising
- High hemoglobin levels
- Low platelet levels
- Serious bleeding
Regular blood tests and follow-up visits are very important to detect these issues early.
Precautions and Monitoring4
Pregnancy: Winrevair may harm an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant should use reliable birth control during treatment and for the time advised by their doctor after the last dose.
Breastfeeding: It is not known if Winrevair passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is usually not recommended during treatment unless your doctor feels it is safe.
Monitoring: While using Winrevair, you will need regular check-ups, including:
- Blood tests to monitor hemoglobin and platelet levels
- Blood pressure checks ongoing
- review of symptoms and physical activity levels
How to Store Winrevair4
- Keep Winrevair out of sight and reach of children.
- Do not use it after the expiry date on the vial or carton (EXP).
- Store in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C). Do not freeze.
- Keep the vial in its original box to protect it from light.
- After mixing the powder with sterile water, use the injection right away, and no later than 4 hours after mixing.
- Do not throw unused medicine in the sink or household trash. Ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of it.
What Is the NPP?
The NPP is a regulated access program that allows Indian patients to receive internationally approved medicines not yet launched in the country.7
How to Get Winrevair via NPP
- Consult your cardiologist to confirm if Winrevair is suitable.
- The doctor will prepare a prescription and medical documents.
- Reach out to authorized service providers such as Rx4U.
- The provider will assist with import paperwork, cold-chain delivery and payment options.
- Delivery usually takes 2–4 weeks.
Key Takeaway
Winrevair is an important new option for adults living with pulmonary arterial hypertension, especially when standard treatments aren’t enough. By targeting the underlying blood vessel changes in PAH, it may help improve symptoms, reduce strain on the heart, and support better longterm control of the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Winrevair a cure for PAH?2
No. Winrevair does not cure PAH, but it can help slow the disease and improve daily life when used with other treatments.
Q. Do I need to stop my current PAH medicines?2
Usually not. Winrevair is often added to existing treatment rather than replacing it.
Q. Is Winrevair available in all countries?
Availability varies by region. Your doctor can guide you on access options where you live.
References:
- Pitre T, Desai K, Mah J, Zeraatkar D, Humbert M. Comparative effectiveness of sotatercept and approved add-on pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024;21(8):1194-203.
- European Medicines Agency. Updated March 28, 2025. Accessed February 11, 2026. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/winrevair
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms and diagnosis. American Lung Association. Updated August 1, 2025. Accessed February 11, 2026. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pulmonary-arterial-hypertension/symptoms-diagnosis
- Product information. Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.
- Gupta M, Bhairumali M, Kochar P, et al. Sotatercept: A New Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension for Adults, A Drug Review. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. 2024;84(8):51-54. doi: 10.47583/ijpsrr.2024.v84i08.008
- Sotatercept (Winrevair): Therapeutic area: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO group 1): Reimbursement Review [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. 2025;5(2). Accessed February 11, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK612745/
- Patil S. Early access programs: Benefits, challenges, and key considerations for successful implementation. Perspect Clin Res. 2016;7(1):4-8. doi:10.4103/2229-3485.173779
Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Lokelma should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Patients should always consult their doctor or pharmacist for advice on diagnosis, treatment, and medication use, and should not make changes to their prescribed therapy without medical supervision.
Disclaimer:
Rx4U procures prescribed medicines directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors. It does not claim ownership of any trademarks and complies with the provisions of the Trademark Act, 1999, particularly Sections 30 and 30(1) concerning ‘Fair Use’. It solely facilitates access to new launches through named patient import.
