Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Medicines - Endothelin Receptor Antagonists: Bosentan (Tracleer®) and Ambrisentan (Letairis®) Macitentan (Opsumit®)

The name of the medicine is: _______________________________.

Bosentan (Tracleer®), Ambrisentan (Letairis®), and Macitentan (Opsumit®) are medicines used to manage Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).

They help blood vessels in the body to open. This may help to lower the overall pressure in blood vessels and decrease how hard the heart must work. Anyone with PAH can use this type of medicine, if there are no other medical reasons that would prevent it.

Do not take these medicines if you are or wish to become pregnant.

If you have concerns or want more information about this medicine and its use, check with your health care team.

Please keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Do not share your medicines with other people.

Before You Use This Medicine

• Tell your health care team if you:

• Have liver disease

• Are or may become pregnant

• Have congestive heart failure

• Take any other medicines

• Have leg or ankle swelling

• Have a blood disorder

• Are allergic to Bosentan, Ambrisentan or Macitentan
  

How to Use

Take these medicines by mouth and as told by your doctor. You can take this medicine with or without food. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets.

If you need to start new medicines when taking this medicine, be sure to talk with your health care team first.

Common Dosing

Bosentan (Tracleer®)
62.5 mg by mouth twice a day for 4 weeks, then 125 mg by mouth twice a day after that.

Ambrisentan (Letairis®)
5 mg by mouth once a day; may increase to 10 mg once a day if you tolerate 5 mg dose.

Macitentan (Opsumit®)
10 mg by mouth once a day.

Some of these medicines come in generic form. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Important to Know

You may need routine lab tests when taking this medicine.
If you are a female of childbearing age, you will need to have a pregnancy test each month. You may be asked to use two forms of birth control while taking this medicine. Using one form of birth control may not be enough to prevent pregnancy. This medicine can decrease how effective birth control pills are.

Call your doctor right away if you think or learn that you are pregnant.

Side Effects

When to Call

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• An allergic reaction(s) such as rash, hives, itchiness, swelling

• Dizziness or fainting

• Yellowing of skin or whites of eyes

• Swelling (in ankles and legs)

• An irregular heartbeat or chest pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• A urinary tract infection
  

It is possible to have side effects that do not need to be treated. These may go away over time. If they continue or bother you, check with your health care team before you stop the medicine.
Side effects may include:

• Headache

• Flushing (warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest)

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Dry mouth

• Heartburn

• Diarrhea

• Anxiety
  

If you have any other effects not listed, check with your health care team.

If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for any questions or concerns.