Beraprost is an analog of prostacyclin in which the unstable enol-ether has been replaced by a benzofuran ether function. This modification increases the plasma half-life from 30 seconds to several hours, and permits the compound to be taken orally. Doses of 20-100 µg in humans, given 1 to 3 times per day, have been demonstrated to improve clinical end points in diseases responsive to prostacyclin. Oral beraprost therapy improved the survival and pulmonary hemodynamics of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Beraprost inhibits platelet aggregation in healthy subjects and in diabetic patients at similar doses.