Macitentan
About Macitentan
Macitentan is a prescription medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs. It helps improve your physical exercise capacity and delays the worsening of symptoms associated with this serious heart and lung condition. This medicine is prescribed for long-term management to help keep your symptoms under control.
To achieve the best results, you must take Macitentan regularly and exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You can take this oral tablet with or without food, but taking it at the same time each day helps maintain a steady level of medicine in your body. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as reducing your daily salt intake and engaging in gentle, doctor-approved physical activities, can also significantly support your treatment.
While taking Macitentan, you may experience some mild, common side effects like a stuffy nose or headaches. However, you must monitor your body closely and contact your doctor immediately if you notice serious signs such as severe swelling in your legs, sudden difficulty breathing, or symptoms of liver damage.
Before starting this medicine, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, anemia, or kidney issues. Do not take this if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, as this medication can cause severe, life-threatening harm to an unborn baby.
This medicine can interact with other prescription drugs, especially those that affect liver enzymes, which may either decrease the effectiveness of Macitentan or increase your risk of side effects. It is important to consult your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding, elderly, or taking other daily medications before you begin treatment.
Uses of Macitentan
Medicinal Benefits
This medicine helps improve blood flow through the lungs and supports better heart function in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Its benefits include:
- Helps relax and widen the blood vessels in the lungs, improving blood flow.
- Reduces shortness of breath and tiredness during physical activity.
- Improves your ability to perform daily activities and exercise more comfortably.
- Helps slow the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Reduces the risk of worsening symptoms and related complications.
- May help lower the need for hospitalization due to disease progression.
Directions for Use
- Macitentan can be taken with or without food.
- It is recommended to take Macitentan once daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Macitentan as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Macitentan
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Stuffy nose, runny nose, or sore throat
- Headache
- Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- Flu-like symptoms
- Urinary tract infection
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage, including yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain, or persistent nausea
- Sudden, severe swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs
- Worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing while lying down
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid Pregnancy: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, as it can cause serious birth defects. Women who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping the medicine.
- Attend Regular Blood Tests: Keep all scheduled blood test appointments so your doctor can monitor your liver function, including liver enzymes (proteins in your blood that help show how well your liver is working), as well as your red blood cell counts.
- Do Not Stop Suddenly: Never stop taking Macitentan without your doctor's advice, as this may cause your pulmonary hypertension symptoms to worsen.
- Check the Packaging: Inspect the tablet packaging before use to ensure the seal is intact and the product has not been tampered with.
Drug Interactions
- Medicines that speed up Macitentan breakdown: Certain medicines, such as rifampin, can cause your body to remove Macitentan more quickly, making it less effective.
- Medicines that slow Macitentan breakdown: Certain medicines, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or ritonavir, can increase the amount of Macitentan in your body and raise the risk of side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt 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.
Pregnancy
unsafeMacitentan 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.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor, and there is no substantial research yet on the use of Macitentan in breastfeeding/nursing mothers.
Driving
unsafeMacitentan can cause side effects such as headaches and hypotension, and the symptoms of your condition can also make you less fit to drive.
Liver
cautionLet 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.
Kidney
cautionIf 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.
Children
unsafeSafety and effectiveness of Macitentan have not been established in patients below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Limit Salt Intake: Reduce your daily intake of sodium (salt) to help prevent fluid retention, which can increase the workload on your heart and lungs.
- Stay Physically Active: Engage in regular, low-impact activities such as walking, but avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting unless approved by your doctor.
- Avoid Smoking: Do not smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, as it can further damage your lungs and lower oxygen levels.
- Monitor Your Weight: Weigh yourself at the same time each morning and inform your doctor if you notice a sudden weight gain over a few days, as this may indicate fluid retention.
Special Advise
Keep a check on your daily blood pressure, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
Your doctor may ask you to undergo a blood test whether you have anaemia (a reduced number of red blood cells).
If you have diabetes, using Macitentan may affect your blood sugar levels. Inform your doctor so that you may adjust your diabetes medication accordingly.
Your dietician may prescribe you a suitable exercise program and diet to manage your blood pressure.
Your doctor may also suggest liver function tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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.
FAQs
No. Do not stop taking Macitentan even if you feel better or your symptoms improve. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment. Stopping the medicine without your doctor's advice may cause your symptoms to worsen. Always take it exactly as prescribed and consult your doctor before making any changes.
Yes. Your doctor will recommend blood tests before and during treatment to monitor liver function and red blood cell counts. Women who can become pregnant should also have pregnancy testing before starting treatment and regular (typically monthly) pregnancy tests during treatment. Follow your doctor's recommended monitoring schedule.
No. Do not take Macitentan if you are pregnant because it may cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for one month after the last dose. Pregnancy testing is recommended before starting treatment and regularly during treatment. Consult your doctor about suitable contraceptive methods.
No. You must swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet before taking it. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing pills.
Swelling can be a sign of fluid buildup, which is a known side effect of this medicine. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience new or worsening swelling, especially if it is accompanied by sudden weight gain. Talk to your doctor.
You should limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as alcohol can lower your blood pressure further, causing dizziness, fainting, or headaches. Talk to your doctor.
This medicine starts working inside your body after the first few doses, but it may take several weeks to notice an improvement in your physical abilities. Always continue taking it even if you do not feel immediate changes. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, certain medications, especially strong liver enzyme inhibitors or inducers, can interact with Macitentan. Ensure your doctor and pharmacist have a complete list of all medications you take. Talk to your doctor.
Author Details
