Riociguat
About
Riociguat belongs to the class of medications called soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators. It is also used to treat adults with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), alone or in combination with other medications. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in your lungs and the right side of your heart.
Riociguat contains ‘Riociguat’. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs. This leads to the relaxation or widening of those vessels. Relaxing and widening the blood vessels in the lungs decreases the pulmonary blood pressure to the heart and improves its function. This reduces blood pressure in the lungs, which generally results in the ability to be more active.
Riociguat is taken dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Riociguat may be prescribed alone or in combination with other blood pressure-lowering medicines depending upon your blood pressure levels. In some cases, Riociguat can cause side effects like headache, diarrhoea, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, anaemia (low number of red blood cells), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and constipation. 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.
Inform your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Riociguat or any ingredients in it. Let your doctor know if you have any liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, heart valve problem or history of a heart attack. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You must closely monitor your blood pressure if you have ever had a stroke or heart attack or currently taking other blood pressure-lowering pills. It is advised to continue taking this drug and not stop taking it suddenly without consulting your doctor. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you take before taking Riociguat to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Riociguat
Medicinal Benefits
Riociguat belongs to the class of medications called soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) is a substance produced in the lungs and other parts of the body by an enzyme called guanylate cyclase in response to nitric oxide. Cyclic GMP causes the blood vessels (arteries) to relax and widen. Riociguat increases guanylate cyclase activity in two ways so that more cyclic GMP is available for the blood vessels inside the lungs. This leads to relaxation or widening of those vessels. Relaxing and widening the blood vessels in the lungs decreases the pulmonary blood pressure to the heart and improves its function. This reduces blood pressure in the lungs, which generally results in the ability to be more active.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Riociguat
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Low blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Anaemia
- Gastroesophageal reflux (known as GERD or heartburn)
- Constipation
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Riociguat or any ingredients in it. Let your doctor know if you have any liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, heart valve problem or history of a heart attack. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You must closely monitor your blood pressure if you have ever had a stroke, or heart attack or currently taking other blood pressure-lowering pills. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you take before taking Riociguat to rule out any side effects. 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 Riociguat may cause side effects like dizziness and weakness, affecting your ability to concentrate and drive. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Riociguat as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Riociguat is not recommended in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Riociguat may interact with diuretic medicines (e.g. spironolactone, mannitol) and antiarrhythmic medicines (e.g. sotalol). The relevance of a particular drug interaction varies from person to person. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication, and also inform your doctor about all your medical conditions and ongoing therapies before prescribing this medication. Considering these, your doctor may check the drug interactions before prescribing this medication.
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol may increase the side effects of Riociguat. Hence, it is advised to limit the intake of alcohol while using Riociguat.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of hypotension, liver impairment, and renal impairment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit alcohol intake since alcohol consumption with Riociguat may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
Pregnancy
cautionConsult your doctor, and there is no substantial research yet on the use of Riociguat in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor, and there is no substantial research yet on the use of Riociguat in breastfeeding/nursing mothers.
Driving
cautionIt is not known whether Riociguat alters the ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using Riociguat in patients with liver impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using Riociguat in patients with kidney impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionThere is limited information available on the use of Riociguat in children. Please consult your doctor.
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-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 to relax and do activities 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.
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 blood and urine tests if you suffer from vomiting or dehydration.
- If you have diabetes, using Riociguat 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 since the Riociguat may cause a change in liver enzymes.
- may adjust your diabetes medication
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and the heart. Pulmonary hypertension affects arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
FAQs
Riociguat contains ‘Riociguat’. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs to allow blood to flow easily. Thereby, it increases the blood supply to the lungs.
Please do not stop using Riociguat without consulting your doctor on your own. Continue using Riociguat for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to treat your condition effectually. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Riociguat.
Riociguat is safe if used in the dose and duration recommended by your doctor. Take it exactly as directed, and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's guidelines carefully and inform your doctor if any of the side effects disturb you.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule if it is time for the next dose.
