Uses of Ambrisentan
Ambrisentan is used alone or in combination with tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis) to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, high blood pressure in the vessels that carry blood to the lungs). Ambrisentan may improve the ability to exercise and slow the worsening of symptoms in people with PAH. Ambrisentan is in a class of medications called endothelin receptor antagonists. It works by stopping the action of endothelin, a natural substance that causes blood vessels to narrow and prevents normal blood flow in people who have PAH.
Side Effects of Ambrisentan
Ambrisentan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- flushing
- pale skin
- fast heartbeat
- headache
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- rash
- unusual weight gain
- extreme tiredness
- loss of appetite
- lack of energy
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain in the upper right stomach area
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- flu-like symptoms
- itching
- dark-colored urine
- Some men taking a medication similar to ambrisentan developed a lower than normal sperm count (number of male reproductive cells); an effect that might affect their ability to father a child. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking ambrisentan if you would like to have children in the future.
Ambrisentan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking ambrisentan:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ambrisentan, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ambrisentan tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention if you are taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs with an unknown cause). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take ambrisentan.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia (a lower than normal amount of red blood cells) or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed if you are taking ambrisentan.
Dosage
Ambrisentan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take ambrisentan at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ambrisentan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of ambrisentan and gradually increase your dose.
Ambrisentan controls the symptoms of PAH but does not cure it. Continue to take ambrisentan even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ambrisentan without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking ambrisentan, your condition may worsen.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
