Pronunciation: AM-bri-SEN-tan
Generic Name: Ambrisentan
Brand Name: Letairis
Ambrisentan may cause serious birth defects if you take it while you are pregnant. Women who are pregnant should not take Ambrisentan. You must have a negative pregnancy test before you start to take Ambrisentan, and monthly while you take it. You must also use 2 effective forms of birth control while you take Ambrisentan and for 1 month after you stop taking it. Talk with your doctor about the use of effective birth control while you use Ambrisentan.
Ambrisentan is only available through a special program called Letairis Education and Access Program (LEAP). Talk to your doctor to be sure you are enrolled in this program and that you meet all of its requirements.
Ambrisentan is used for:
Treating high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH]) in certain patients.
Ambrisentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist. It works by blocking a certain substance in the lungs.
Do NOT use Ambrisentan if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Ambrisentan
- you are pregnant or may become pregnant
- you have moderate to severe liver problems
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ambrisentan:
Some medical conditions may interact with Ambrisentan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of liver problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood problems (eg, anemia)
- if you have fluid retention (eg, unusual swelling of the arms, hands, legs, or feet)
- if you have had abnormal liver function tests while taking another endothelin receptor antagonist (eg, bosentan)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ambrisentan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Cyclosporine because it may increase the risk of Ambrisentan's side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ambrisentan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ambrisentan:
Use Ambrisentan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Ambrisentan comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Ambrisentan refilled.
- Take Ambrisentan by mouth with or without food.
- Swallow Ambrisentan whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Take Ambrisentan on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Ambrisentan at the same times each day will help you to remember to take it.
- Continue to take Ambrisentan even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Ambrisentan, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ambrisentan.
Important safety information:
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Do not stop taking Ambrisentan unless your doctor tells you to.
- Serious liver problems have been reported with other medicines that are similar to Ambrisentan (eg, bosentan). Contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of liver problems, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching, or unusual tiredness or achiness. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Some men taking another medicine similar to Ambrisentan (bosentan) have experienced a decrease in sperm count. A low sperm count may decrease the ability to father a child. It is not known if Ambrisentan may cause the same effect on sperm count. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Women who are able to become pregnant must have a negative pregnancy test before they start to take Ambrisentan, and monthly while they are taking it. Talk with your doctor for more information.
- Women who are able to become pregnant must use 2 effective forms of birth control while they take Ambrisentan and for at least 1 month after they stop taking it. Talk with your doctor about the use of effective birth control while you use Ambrisentan. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a menstrual period or think you may be pregnant.
- Lab tests, including liver function and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Ambrisentan. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Ambrisentan with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially swelling of the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
- Ambrisentan should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Ambrisentan if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Ambrisentan is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ambrisentan.
Possible side effects of Ambrisentan:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; flushing; headache; nose or throat irritation; stomach pain; stuffy nose.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; sudden weight gain; swelling (eg, of the arms, legs, hands, feet); unusual tiredness or weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Ambrisentan side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; light-headedness; severe dizziness.
Proper storage of Ambrisentan:
Store Ambrisentan between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) in the original package. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Ambrisentan out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Ambrisentan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Ambrisentan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ambrisentan. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Ambrisentan resources
- Ambrisentan Side Effects (in more detail)
- Ambrisentan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Ambrisentan Drug Interactions
- Ambrisentan Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Ambrisentan - Add your own review/rating
- Ambrisentan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Ambrisentan Monograph (AHFS DI)
- ambrisentan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Letairis Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Letairis Consumer Overview
Compare Ambrisentan with other medications
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
No comments:
Post a Comment