MACITENTAN belongs to the class of 'anti-hypertensive drugs', primarily used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries (pulmonary arterial hypertension). Hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood exerts high pressure (force exerted by circulating blood) against the walls of blood vessels. This condition makes the heart work harder in pumping blood to the whole body. Pulmonary hypertension affects arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
MACITENTAN contains 'macitentan', which works by inhibiting the action of Endothelin, a natural substance that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. MACITENTAN widens the constricted pulmonary arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs) and increases blood supply, thus lowering blood pressure.
Take MACITENTAN as prescribed by your doctor. Your dose and duration of MACITENTAN will be advised by your doctor, depending upon your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience headaches, inflammation of the airways, and oedema. Most of these side effects of MACITENTAN do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
Please inform your doctor if you are using any prescription, or non-prescription drugs, including vitamins and herbal products. Before starting MACITENTAN, let your doctor know if you have allergic reactions to MACITENTAN or other medicines. Inform your doctor if you have low blood pressure, lung, heart, kidney, liver problems, and anaemia (lack of blood cells). It is advised to consult a doctor if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother. Do not stop taking MACITENTAN without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. Do not consume alcohol with MACITENTAN as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults.
MACITENTAN is an anti-hypertensive medicine that treats high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries (pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)). It contains 'Macitentan,' which works by inhibiting the action of Endothelin, a natural substance that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. In people with PAH, the pulmonary arteries get narrower making the heart work harder to pump blood through them. MACITENTAN widens these constricted arteries and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood, thus lowering the blood pressure.
Please inform your doctor beforehand if you are allergic to MACITENTAN or other medicines. Brief your medical history if you have heart failure, liver or kidney diseases, lung conditions (pulmonary fibrosis), anaemia, oedema (fluid retention) and hypotension (low blood pressure) before starting MACITENTAN. MACITENTAN is contraindicated during pregnancy since it harms the foetus. Please get a pregnancy test done before starting MACITENTAN. You should get a negative pregnancy test for sure before using MACITENTAN. Also, please use reliable forms of birth control if you are undergoing treatment with MACITENTAN to avoid pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using MACITENTAN if you are a breastfeeding mother. Complete the course strictly as the doctor advises, even if you feel better, to avoid the recurrence of the disease. Do not drive or operate machinery since MACITENTAN may cause side effects like dizziness and weakness, affecting your ability to concentrate and drive. Avoid consumption of alcohol with MACITENTAN as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. MACITENTAN is not recommended in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug-Drug Interactions: MACITENTAN may interact with antibiotics (e.g. rifampicin, clarithromycin), a medicine used to treat seizures (e.g. phenytoin), a medicine used to treat depression and epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine), medications used to treat HIV infections (e.g. ritonavir, saquinavir), anti-fungal medicines (e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole), a drug used to control the heartbeat (e.g. amiodarone), a medicine used to prevent organ rejection after transplant (e.g. cyclosporine), medications used to treat high blood pressure or specific heart problems (e.g. diltiazem, verapamil).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol may increase the side effects of MACITENTAN. Hence, it is advised to limit the intake of alcohol while using MACITENTAN.
Drug-Disease Interactions: People with heart failure, liver or kidney diseases, lung conditions (pulmonary fibrosis), anaemia, oedema (fluid retention), low blood pressure, and severe dehydration should consult the doctor before taking MACITENTAN.
It is advised to limit alcohol intake since alcohol consumption with MACITENTAN may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
MACITENTAN is not recommended in pregnancy. It can affect and harm the developing baby. You are advised to get a pregnancy test done before starting MACITENTAN. You should get a negative pregnancy test for sure before using MACITENTAN. Also, please use reliable forms of birth control if you are undergoing treatment with MACITENTAN to avoid pregnancy.
Consult your doctor, and there is no substantial research yet on the use of MACITENTAN in breastfeeding/nursing mothers.
MACITENTAN can cause side effects such as headaches and hypotension, and the symptoms of your condition can also make you less fit to drive.
Let your doctor know before taking MACITENTAN if you have any history of liver diseases or very high levels of liver enzymes in your blood. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing MACITENTAN.
If you have kidney problems, talk to your doctor before using MACITENTAN. Macitentan may lead to more blood pressure reduction and a decrease in haemoglobin in patients with kidney problems. Please consult the doctor, and your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing MACITENTAN.
Safety and effectiveness of MACITENTAN have not been established in patients below 18 years of age.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: It is referred to as high blood pressure in the blood vessels (the pulmonary arteries) that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. It's a serious condition that can harm the heart's right side. The walls of the pulmonary arteries thicken and stiffen, making it difficult for blood to flow through. Because of the reduced blood flow, the right side of the heart has a harder time pumping blood through the arteries which may lead to heart failure. The common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and chest pressure. It can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in people who already have a heart or lung problem.