Letairis

Letairis

Generic Name: ambrisentan (am bri SEN tan)

Brand Names: Letairis

What is Letairis?

Letairis prevents thickening of the blood vessels, especially those in the lungs and heart. Letairis also lowers blood pressure in your lungs, helping your heart pump blood more efficiently.

Letairis is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It improves your ability to exercise and prevents your condition from getting worse.

Letairis may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Letairis

This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a menstrual period during treatment with Letairis. Use two reliable forms of birth control together while you are taking the 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.

Letairis 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 Letairis, and again each month during your treatment. Do not stop taking Letairis without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Letairis 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.

Before taking Letairis

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

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

Letairis 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 Letairis, and again each month during your treatment. FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use Letairis if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a menstrual period during treatment with Letairis. 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 Letairis 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.

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

How should I take Letairis?

Take Letairis 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.

Letairis 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.

Letairis can be taken with or without food.

Letairis 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 Letairis without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Store Letairis at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this medicine in its original container.

See also: Letairis dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while using Letairis?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Letairis.

Letairis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling short of breath;

fast or pounding heartbeats;

swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs;

nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, low fever, itching;

dark urine, clay-colored stools; or

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

headache;

stomach pain, constipation;

stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat; or

warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Letairis side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Letairis?

Before taking Letairis, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

omeprazole (Prilosec);

rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

antibiotics such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or telithromycin (Ketek); or

HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Letairis. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Letairis resources

Letairis Side Effects (in More Detail)

Letairis Dosage

Letairis Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Letairis Drug Interactions

Letairis Support Group

1 Review for Letairis - Add your own review/rating

Letairis Prescribing Information (FDA)

Letairis MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Letairis Monograph (AHFS DI)

Letairis Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Ambrisentan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Letairis with other medications

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Letairis.