Herbal Spotlight
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 Taking ambrisentan (Letairis)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed ambrisentan, an endothelin receptor blocker, for the treatment of your pulmonary hypertension. This medication blocks specific receptors found in the blood vessels of the lungs, relaxing them and lowering their pressure. The brand name of this medication is Letairis.
How you’ll take Letairis
You’ll take Letairis once each day. You can take it with food. Don’t cut, crush, or chew tablets. Take the tablets at about the same time each day.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, don’t double up doses. Take the tablet as soon as you remember and then start your usual routine the following day. Don’t take more than the prescribed dosage each day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: stuffy nose, sinusitis, flushing, constipation, stomach pain, headache, palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling of legs and ankles.
Less common: liver damage (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, unusual tiredness, right upper stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes).
What you must know about other medications
This medication can be affected by other medications including cyclosporine A, ketoconazole, and omeprazole. Tell any health care provider who is taking care of you that you are using this medication so that appropriate precautions and dosage adjustments can be made.
Special directions
- This medication will be mailed to you from a special pharmacy.
- It’s important not to get pregnant while taking this medication and for one month after the medication has been stopped. You’ll need to take a pregnancy test before starting the medication. It’s advised that you use two forms of contraception while on this medication. If you think you might be pregnant, contact your health care provider immediately.
- Don’t take more than the prescribed dose in any given day.
- Don’t cut, crush, or chew tablets.
- Don’t stop taking these tablets without consulting your health care provider.
Keep in mind
- This medication could affect a baby. If you’re nursing, choose another method of feeding the baby while you’re taking this medication.
- This medication is available for your specific needs only through this special program. Don’t share this medication with any other person.
- You’ll need to have regular blood tests to check the effects of this medication on your liver.
- This medication may decrease sperm count and affect male fertility; consult your health care provider about any concerns.
- Track your exercise tolerance to monitor the effects of the medication on your condition.
- Report pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, unusual tiredness, right upper stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, dark urine, unusual itching.
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