Best treatments for pulmonary hypertension
30 products may treat pulmonary hypertension, spanning FDA drug classes such as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, endothelin receptor antagonist, nitrate vasodilator. The current highest-rated option is vybrique. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 30 drugs we list for pulmonary hypertension, 15 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, endothelin receptor antagonist, nitrate vasodilator. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for pulmonary hypertension — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Understanding pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (sometimes called PH) is a serious condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. It develops when the blood pressure in the lungs is higher than normal, which makes the heart work harder than normal to pump blood into the lungs and can damage the heart over time. NHLBI groups the condition into five categories, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), PH due to left-sided heart disease, and PH due to lung disease or low oxygen. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness. Because early symptoms overlap with those of other conditions, PH can be hard to recognize at first. Doctors diagnose PH when tests show higher-than-normal pressure in the lung arteries. According to NHLBI, "A pressure of 25 mm Hg or greater measured by cardiac catheterization or 35 to 40 mm Hg or greater on echocardiography suggests pulmonary hypertension." NHLBI notes that cardiac catheterization and echocardiography are the most common tests used to measure the pressure in the pulmonary arteries. There is usually no cure, but treatment can help keep symptoms from getting worse. This is general information, not medical advice.
First-line treatment
Treatment is individualized: NHLBI states that a provider determines the plan based on the cause of the disease. NHLBI describes a combined approach that can include heart-healthy eating (such as eating less salt), physical activity that may be supervised through a program such as pulmonary rehabilitation, medicines, oxygen therapy if oxygen levels in the blood are too low, and medicines or procedures to treat the condition causing the pulmonary hypertension. NHLBI lists several classes of medicines used for PH, including vasodilators such as calcium channel blockers. Because the right treatment depends on the type and cause of PH, a clinician selects and adjusts therapy for each person. This is general information, not medical advice.
Top-rated picks for pulmonary hypertension: 1. Vybrique · 2. Adcirca · 3. Letairis
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Film | Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor | Generic | $4 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Endothelin Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $256 | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Nitrate Vasodilator | Generic | $4 | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 7 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Prostacycline Vasodilator | No data | — | View → | |
| 8 | 66/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Endothelin Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $256 | View → | |
| 9 | 66/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Endothelin Receptor Antagonist | No data | — | View → | |
| 10 | 66/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Endothelin Receptor Antagonist | No data | — | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor · nitrate vasodilator · endothelin receptor antagonist · prostacycline vasodilator · prostaglandin analog
Full ranking · 30 treatments
vybrique
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Vybrique (Sildenafil Citrate) is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used to treat Pulmonary Hypertension, Vasculogenic Impotence.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.05· 5 formsadcirca
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Adcirca (Tadalafil) is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used to treat Pulmonary Hypertension, Vasculogenic Impotence.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.13/30· 4 formsletairis
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Letairis (Ambrisentan) is an endothelin receptor antagonist used to treat Pulmonary Hypertension.
Pharmacy pays
~$255.61 /30
nitrostat
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Nitrostat (Nitroglycerin) is a nitrate vasodilator used to treat Angina Pectoris, Eclampsia, Fissure in Ano, Heart Failure.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.19/30· 8 formsrevatio
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Revatio (Sildenafil Citrate) is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used to treat Pulmonary Hypertension, Vasculogenic Impotence.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.05· 5 formsviagra
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used to treat Pulmonary Hypertension, Vasculogenic Impotence.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.05· 5 forms- Treprostinil
- Ambrisentan
- Bosentan
- Macitentan
- Caverject Impulse
- Prostin Vr Pediatric
- Alyq
- Adempas
- Aurlumyn
- Cialis
- Nitro-Dur
- Nitroglycerin
- Nitrolingual
- Nitrolingual Pumpspray
- Nitromist
- Opsumit
- Orenitram
- Tadliq
- Tracleer
- Tyvaso
- Tyvaso Dpi
- Uptravi
- Veletri
- Yutrepia
Frequently asked
- What treats pulmonary hypertension?
- Our catalog lists 30 products that may treat pulmonary hypertension, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is vybrique.
- What is the best-rated treatment for pulmonary hypertension?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — vybrique ranks highest among the products we list for pulmonary hypertension. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat pulmonary hypertension?
- Treatments for pulmonary hypertension span FDA drug classes including phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, endothelin receptor antagonist, nitrate vasodilator, prostacycline vasodilator, prostaglandin analog. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.
Sources
The clinical overview above is written from these authoritative public-health and medical-society sources, independently reviewed against each.