Letairis (Ambrisentan Tablets) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Letairis

Pulmonary Hypertension »

What are pulmonary arteries?

The human body has two major sets of blood vessels that distribute blood from the heart to the body. One set pumps blood from the right heart to the lungs and the other from the left heart to the rest of the body.

The portion of the circulation that distributes oxygen-rich blood from the left side of the heart, throughout the body, is referred to as the systemic circulation.
The blood then returns from the body to the right side of the heart and passes through the lungs to replenish oxygen.
It then returns to the left side of the heart for another round through the systemic circulation.
The portion of the circulation that distributes the blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs is referred to as the pulmonary (lung) circulation.
The pulmonary arteries are the major blood vessels that carry blood from the rig...

Read the Pulmonary Hypertension article »

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Letairis Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ambrisentan (Letairis)?

Your should not use this medication if you are allergic to ambrisentan, or if you are pregnant.

Before taking ambrisentan, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or if you have ever had liver problems caused by other medications.

Ambrisentan can cause severe liver problems. Symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, itching, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. Your liver function will need to be tested before you start taking ambrisentan, and again each month during your treatment.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use ambrisentan if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a menstrual period during treatment with ambrisentan. Use two reliable forms of birth control while you are taking this medication and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends.

You will probably be required to take a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine, to make sure you are not pregnant. You may also be re-tested each month during your treatment.

It is not known whether ambrisentan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ambrisentan may lower a man's sperm count and could affect fertility (your ability to have children).

How should I take ambrisentan (Letairis)?

Take ambrisentan exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Ambrisentan is available only under a special program called LEAP (Letairis Education and Access Program). You must be registered in the program and sign agreements to use birth control and undergo pregnancy and blood testing as required by the program. Read all program brochures and agreements carefully.

Ambrisentan can be taken with or without food.

Ambrisentan is usually taken twice a day, morning and evening.

Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Do not stop taking ambrisentan without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Store ambrisentan at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this medicine in its original container.

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