Bosentan is used to treat high blood pressure in the
lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension). This condition is thought to be
caused by increased levels of a certain natural substance (endothelin-1).
This medication blocks the effects of endothelin-1, thereby helping to
decrease the blood pressure in the lungs, slow the worsening of symptoms
from the disease, and improve your ability to exercise.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start using bosentan and each time you get a refill. If you have
any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (in the morning and
evening).
The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight,
response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to
tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Your
doctor may start you on a lower dose of this medication and then increase
the dose after several weeks.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each
day.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting
your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly
stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets. Do not crush the tablets because doing so will increase exposure
to the dust.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
See also Warning section.
Dizziness, flushing, stuffy nose, or joint pain may
occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- fast/pounding heartbeat
- unusual tiredness
- swelling ankles/feet
- unusual/sudden weight gain
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- coughing up blood
In men, this medication can decrease sperm production,
which may affect the ability to father a child. Talk to your doctor for
more details.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking bosentan, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Alcohol may also increase the risk of serious liver
problems.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It
may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control
(such as condoms, birth control pills) during treatment and for 1 month
after the last dose. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant,
tell your doctor right away. See also Warning section.
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your
doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
Other medications can affect the removal of bosentan
from your body, which may affect how bosentan works. Examples include
cyclosporine, HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir), among
others.
This drug can speed up the removal of other drugs from
your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs
include daridorexant, elacestrant, glyburide, certain products used to
treat chronic hepatitis C (asunaprevir, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir),
mavacamten, quizartinib, revumenib, among others.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist about using a reliable
backup birth control method while using this medication. Also tell your
doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these
may be signs that your birth control is not working well.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
headache, severe dizziness, nausea, vomiting.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function,
pregnancy tests, hemoglobin, hematocrit) should be done before you start
taking this medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical and
lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.