Ambrisentan
About
Ambrisentan belongs to the class of ‘anti-hypertensive drugs’, primarily used to treat high blood pressure in the arteries of lungs (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 to work harder in pumping the blood to the whole body. Pulmonary hypertension affects arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
Ambrisentan contains ‘Ambrisentan,’ which belongs to the class of ‘endothelin receptor blockers’. Ambrisentan works by inhibiting the action of Endothelin, a natural substance that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Ambrisentan widens the constricted pulmonary arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs) and increases blood supply to the lungs, thus lowering the blood pressure.
In some cases, Ambrisentan can cause side effects like headache, dizziness, palpitations, breathlessness, runny nose, feeling sick, diarrhoea, and fatigue. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Please inform your doctor if you are using any prescription, non-prescription drugs, including vitamins and herbal products. Let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to Ambrisentan or any other medicines, before starting Ambrisentan. Inform your doctor if you have low blood pressure, lung, heart, kidney or 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 Ambrisentan without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. Do not consume alcohol with Ambrisentan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Uses of Ambrisentan
Medicinal Benefits
Ambrisentan is an anti-hypertensive medicine that treats high blood pressure in the arteries of lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)). It contains ‘Ambrisentan,’ an endothelin receptor blocker. Ambrisentan 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. Ambrisentan widens these constricted arteries and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood, thus lowering the blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ambrisentan
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, or feet
- Palpitations
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Stuffy nose, sinus pain
- Flushing (redness of the skin)
- Feeling sick
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling tired
- Rash
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
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 Ambrisentan. Ambrisentan is contraindicated during pregnancy since it has harmful effects on the foetus. Consult your doctor before using Ambrisentan if you are a breastfeeding mother. Complete the course strictly as suggested by the doctor, even if you feel better, to avoid disease recurrence. Do not drive or operate machinery since Ambrisentan may cause side effects like dizziness and weakness, affecting your ability to concentrate and drive. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Ambrisentan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Ambrisentan is not recommended in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ambrisentan may interact with other PAH treating medicines (iloprost, epoprostenol), impotence-treating drugs (sildenafil), antibiotics (rifampicin) and immunosuppressants (cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Alcohol may increase the side effects of Ambrisentan. Hence, it is advised to limit the intake of alcohol while using Ambrisentan.
Drug-Disease Interaction: 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 Ambrisentan.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit alcohol intake, since alcohol consumption with Ambrisentan may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafeAmbrisentan is not recommended and unsafe in pregnancy. It can affect and harm the developing baby. You are advised to get a pregnancy test done before starting Ambrisentan. You should get a negative pregnancy test for sure before using Ambrisentan. Also, please use reliable forms of birth control if you are undergoing treatment with Ambrisentan to avoid pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Ambrisentan is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor for more information before taking Ambrisentan if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionAmbrisentan may cause side effects like dizziness and weakness, affecting your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Ambrisentan. Ambrisentan may cause an increase in liver enzymes. If you are using Ambrisentan and experience any nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark-coloured urine and yellowing of the skin, please see your doctor immediately.
Kidney
cautionAmbrisentan should be used with caution in cases of renal impairment. It is advised to seek doctor advice before starting Ambrisentan if you have any kidney problems.
Children
unsafeSafety and effectiveness of Ambrisentan have not been established in patients below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reduce sodium intake in your diet to maintain your blood pressure.
- Eat natural and healthy foods by cutting down on high on sodium processed foods.
- Lose those extra pounds, since being obese can be a risk factor for hypertension.
- Exercise regularly to maintain good heart health.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
- Chronic stress may also cause high blood pressure. Therefore, avoid stress triggers and make time for yourself to relax and do activities that you enjoy.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
- Limit sodium chloride intake (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
Special Advise
- Keep a check on your daily blood pressure and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
- You may be asked by your doctor to undergo blood and urine tests if you have been suffering from vomiting or dehydration.
- If you have diabetes, using Ambrisentan may affect your blood sugar levels. Inform your doctor so that your diabetes medication may be adjusted 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 since Ambrisentan may cause a change in liver enzymes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently in the arteries. It is considered as an essential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and can be caused due to obesity, diabetes, smoking, high salt intake, stress, lack of physical activity or ageing. Blood pressure is measured in the ratio of systolic pressure to diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure range lies in between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. If the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or greater, it is considered high blood pressure.
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. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pressure.
FAQs
Ambrisentan consists of Ambrisentan. It is an anti-hypertensive medicine that lowers the blood pressure by widening the pulmonary arteries and making the heart pump blood efficiently.
Yes, Ambrisentan can make you feel dizzy. Dizziness usually occurs when you suddenly stand up from a lying or sitting position. Try rising slowly when you change your posture to relieve from dizziness. If the side effect persists longer, please seek medical help.
Do not stop using Ambrisentan even if you feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid the recurrence of symptoms and worsening of the disease.
Ambrisentan should be used with caution in cases of any allergic reactions, heart failure, liver, kidney diseases, lung conditions (pulmonary fibrosis), anaemia, oedema (fluid retention) and hypotension (low blood pressure).
Store Ambrisentan away from direct sunlight and at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
