What is ambrisentan?
Ambrisentan prevents thickening of the blood vessels, especially those in the lungs and heart. Ambrisentan also lowers blood pressure in your lungs, helping your heart pump blood more efficiently.
Ambrisentan is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It improves your ability to exercise and prevents your condition from getting worse.
Ambrisentan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ambrisentan?
Ambrisentan can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.
If you are a woman of child-bearing potential, you will need to have a negative pregnancy test before you start treatment with ambrisentan. You will also be re-tested each month during your treatment.
You will be required to use two forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends. If you have had a tubal ligation or are using a copper IUD, you will not need to use a second form of birth control.
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.
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ambrisentan?
Your should not use this medication if you are allergic to ambrisentan, if you have moderate or severe liver disease, or if you are pregnant.
To make sure you can safely take ambrisentan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
anemia (low red blood cell counts);
a history of liver problems; or
if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking ambrisentan.
If you are a woman of child-bearing potential, you will need to have a negative pregnancy test before you start treatment with ambrisentan. You will also be re-tested each month during your treatment.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use ambrisentan if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
You will be required to use two forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends. If you have had a tubal ligation or are using a copper IUD (intrauterine device), you will not need to use a second form of birth control.
Recommended combinations of birth control forms include:
1 hormone form (birth control pill, skin patch, implant, vaginal ring, or injection) plus 1 barrier form (condom, diaphragm with spermicide, or cervical cap with spermicide).
a condom and a female barrier form together (diaphragm with spermicide, or cervical cap with spermicide).
a partner's vasectomy plus 1 hormone form or 1 barrier form.
Talk with your doctor about the use of emergency contraception if you have unprotected sex or if you believe your form of contraception has failed.
It is not known whether ambrisentan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using ambrisentan.
Ambrisentan may lower a man's sperm count and could affect fertility (your ability to have children).