Macitentan: Uses, indications and cautions when using

Macientan has the effect of reducing pulmonary arterial blood pressure, so the drug is indicated in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. The drug can cause some unwanted side effects, so patients should use it under the guidance of a doctor.

Macitentan is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (also known as high blood pressure in the lungs). Disease caused by increased levels of endothelin-1.
Macitentan works to block the increase of endothelin-1 affecting pulmonary arterial blood pressure, thereby reducing the risks and symptoms when treating the disease.

Macitentan is made in the form of tablets and taken orally, can be taken with or without a once-daily dose. Should be taken once, do not split, chew or crush the medicine. Take the medicine regularly and at the right dose for effective treatment. Do not increase the dose on your own or use more and for a long time, because there is a high risk of side effects. Macientan is not indicated for pregnant women because the drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, affecting the fetus. If the medication does not improve or becomes severe, the patient should inform the doctor.

Non-serious side effects such as: Runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache and body aches, chills. When experiencing these undesirable effects for a long time or severe, the patient should notify the pharmacist or doctor immediately. Serious side effects: Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, heart palpitations (due to a decrease in red blood cells), sudden weight gain, swelling in the hands and feet. In this case, the patient should consult a doctor. Rare serious side effects: Persistent loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, abdominal and stomach pain, jaundice, bloody or dark urine. These are common symptoms of liver disease, so patients should inform their doctor when this side effect occurs. Very serious and very rare side effects such as: Allergic rash; swelling and itching in the face, tongue, and throat; shortness of breath; dizzy. At that time, the patient needs to be taken to the emergency room urgently.

Before taking Macientan, the patient should inform the doctor if there are any allergic conditions. In particular, tell your doctor if you have a history of anemia, lung problems such as pulmonary embolism, or are using any other products. Breastfeeding women and men should consult their doctor before taking Macientan, because of the risk to the infant as well as effects on male fertility. While taking Macitentan, do not change your dose or stop taking it without your doctor's advice. Macitentan may interact with the following drugs and affect how they work, including: azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, HIV protease inhibitors,... Before taking Macitentan, your doctor should Liver function tests, hemoglobin and pregnancy tests may be ordered to monitor during treatment. If you miss a dose of Macitentan, you need to skip it, do not double the dose on your own. Macientan is a medication used to treat pulmonary hypertension. To limit unwanted side effects and support effective disease treatment, you should take Macitentan exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Reference source: Webmd.com