Ambrisentan Viatris (Ambrisentan)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ambrisentan Viatris Used For?
Ambrisentan Viatris is a prescription medication that helps treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious condition affecting the blood vessels in your lungs.
Primary Uses
This medication is specifically used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs.
How It Works
In people with PAH, the arteries in the lungs become narrower, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through them. This causes tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Ambrisentan Viatris works by widening these pulmonary arteries, making it easier for your heart to pump blood through them, which lowers blood pressure and relieves symptoms.
Good to know: This medicine helps control your condition and relieve symptoms, making it easier for your heart to pump blood to your lungs.
How to Take Ambrisentan Viatris
Take Ambrisentan Viatris exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions carefully and continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase your dose to 10 mg once daily if needed. Take your medicine at about the same time each day. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water – do not split, crush, or chew them. You can take this medication with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose, as this may increase your chance of side effects.
Important: Never double your dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or change your dose without checking with your doctor first.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Swelling (especially ankles and feet)
- Headache
- Runny or blocked nose, sinus congestion or pain
- Dizziness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling tired or lack of energy
- Worsening shortness of breath when starting treatment
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath)
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Feeling weak
- Vomiting
- Heart failure
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Abnormal liver function blood tests
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Flushing
- Nosebleed
- Rash
- Allergic reactions
- Visual disturbance (blurred vision)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of liver problems: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, unusual tiredness, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, skin itching, abnormal liver function blood tests
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions you need to know before taking Ambrisentan Viatris.
Who Should Not Take Ambrisentan Viatris
Do not take this medication if you: are allergic to ambrisentan or any ingredients in the tablets; are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; have scarring of the lungs of unknown cause (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis); have serious liver problems; or have raised levels of liver enzymes detected by blood tests.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver disease, heart disease called right heart failure, low number of red blood cells (anemia), swelling especially of ankles and feet, low blood pressure, or kidney problems. Your doctor will decide if this medication is suitable for you.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication can harm your developing baby. You must use at least two reliable forms of birth control while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. Men should use appropriate contraception (like condoms) to avoid exposing their partner to semen. Your doctor will require a pregnancy test before starting treatment. Talk to your doctor about breastfeeding risks and benefits.
Pregnancy Warning: This medication can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with Ambrisentan Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Always check with your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking to ensure they don’t affect Ambrisentan Viatris.
- Cyclosporin A (organ transplant medicine) – do not take more than one 5 mg tablet daily if taking this
- Ketoconazole (antifungal medicine)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol and driving while taking Ambrisentan Viatris, as it can affect your ability to drive safely.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Discuss any concerns about alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. The symptoms of your condition can make you less fit to drive. Do not drive or operate machines if you’re feeling unwell. If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint when standing up, get up slowly to help your body adjust to changes in position and blood pressure.
Storage
Store Ambrisentan Viatris below 25°C in the original packaging. Keep tablets in the pack to maintain their quality. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Ambrisentan Viatris, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by widening pulmonary arteries to make it easier for your heart to pump blood. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular appointments and blood tests to ensure the medication is working effectively for your condition.
Yes, you can take Ambrisentan Viatris with or without food. It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after eating.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it, so it’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. You should discuss any alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe with your treatment.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose, as this may increase your chance of side effects.
Your doctor will take regular blood tests to check that your liver is working properly and to monitor your red blood cell levels (to check for anemia). These tests help prevent unwanted side effects and ensure the medication is safe for you.
No, Ambrisentan Viatris tablets should not be split, crushed, or chewed. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water to ensure you get the correct dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.