Opsumit (Macitentan) for Pulmonary Hypertension

Overview
Opsumit is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to delay disease progression in cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Opsumit may be referred to by its drug name, macitentan.

Opsumit is an endothelin receptor antagonist. Endothelin is a substance made by the body that causes the blood vessels to constrict. Endothelin receptor antagonists are believed to work by limiting the amount of endothelin in the blood. In cases of PAH, endothelin receptor antagonists may slow disease progression and potentially reverse some heart and lung damage caused by the disease.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Opsumit is taken orally once daily. Due to its ability to cause severe birth defects, Opsumit is only available to female consumers through a limited distribution program called Opsumit Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) Program.

Opsumit comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Opsumit lists common side effects including headache, cold and flu symptoms, bronchitis, anemia, and urinary tract infections.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Opsumit include liver failure, severe birth defects, severe fluid retention, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), blood disorders, and decreased sperm count.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Opsumit — Actelion
https://opsumit.com

Endothelin receptor antagonists — Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK
https://www.phauk.org/treatment-for-pulmonary-h...