Macitentan
About
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.
Uses of Macitentan
Medicinal Benefits
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.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Macitentan
- Anaemia (low number of red blood cells) or reduced haemoglobin
- Headache
- Bronchitis (inflammation of the airways)
- Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
- Oedema (swelling), especially of the ankles and feet
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
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 Interactions
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.
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
- Maintain a diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, omega-3-rich foods, and lean protein sources.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- 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.
- Be mindful of salt; consume no more than 2,300 mg each day.
- Limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
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
Macitentan consists of Macitentan. It is an anti-hypertensive medicine that lowers blood pressure by widening the pulmonary arteries and making the heart pump blood efficiently.
No, it is a prescribed drug given by a physician for treating specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
Even if you feel good, do not stop using the $ name. It should be used as prescribed by your doctor to prevent the recurrence of symptoms and worsening of the disease.
Macitentan 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).
Shortness of breath, weariness (tiredness), feeling faint or dizzy, chest discomfort (angina), a rapid heartbeat (palpitations), and swelling (oedema) in the legs, ankles, feet, or tummy are all common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (abdomen).
Although pulmonary hypertension cannot be cured, there are treatments that can help you control your symptoms and manage your condition. It may be possible to prevent irreversible damage to your pulmonary arteries (which are the blood vessels that supply your lungs) if the cause is detected and treated early.
