Macipah is indicated for the long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adult patients of WHO functional class (FC) II to III. Also, efficacy has been shown in a: PAH population including idiopathic and heritable PAH PAH associated with connective tissue disorders, and PAH associated with congenital heart disease.
Endothelin (ET)-1 and its receptors (ETA and ETB ) mediate a variety of deleterious effects, such as vasoconstriction, fibrosis, proliferation, hypertrophy, and inflammation. In disease conditions such as PAH, the local ET system is upregulated and is involved in vascular hypertrophy and in organ damage. Macitentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist that inhibits the binding of ET-1 to both ETA and ETB receptors. Macitentan displays high affinity and sustained occupancy of the ET receptors in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. One of the metabolites of macitentan is also pharmacologically active at the ET receptors and is estimated to be about 20% as potent as the parent drug in vitro. The clinical impact of dual endothelin blockage is unknown.
The recommended dosage of Macitentan is 10 mg once daily for oral administration. Doses higher than 10 mg once daily have not been studied in patients with PAH and are not recommended. Macitentan tablets are to be swallowed whole with water, may be taken with or without food. Macitentan tablet should be taken every day at about the same time. If a dose has been missed, the patient should be taken it as soon as possible and then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Two doses should not be taken at the same time, including the missed dose. Elderly : There is limited clinical data with Macitentan in patients over the age of 75 years, therefore Macitentan should be used with caution in this population. Pediatric population : The safety of Macitentan in children and adolescents below 18 years has not yet been established.
Always consult a registered doctor before taking any medicine. This information is for general knowledge only.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are nasopharyngitis (14%), headache (13.6%) and anemia (13.2%).
Hypersensitivity to the active component of the product, pregnancy, breastfeeding, patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers : Strong inducers of CYP3A4 such as rifampin significantly reduce Macipah exposure. Concomitant use of Macipah with strong CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided. Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors : Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors like ketoconazole approximately double Macipah exposure. Many HIV drugs like ritonavir are strong inhibitors of CYP3A4. Avoid concomitant use of Macipah with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Use other PAH treatment options when strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are needed as part of HIV treatment
The benefit/risk balance of Macipah has not been established in patients with WHO class I functional status of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hepatic impairment : Elevations of liver aminotransferases (AST, ALT) have been associated with PAH and with endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs). Macipah is not to be initiated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or elevated aminotransferases (>3 × ULN). Liver enzyme test should be obtained prior to initiation of Macipah. Hemoglobin concentration : Decrease in hemoglobin concentrations has been associated with endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) including Macipah. But Macipah-related decreases in hemoglobin concentration were not progressive. Stabilized after the first 4-12 weeks of treatment Initiation of Macipah is not recommended in patients with severe anemia. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease : Consequently, if signs of pulmonary oedema occur when Macipah is administered in patients with PAH, the possibility of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease should be considered. Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inducers : In the presence of strong CYP3A4 inducers reduced efficacy of Macipah could occur. The combination of Macipah with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampicin, St. John’s wort, carbamazepine, and phenytoin) should be avoided. Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors : Caution should be taken when Macipah is administered concomitantly with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, and saquinavir). Concomitant use with moderate dual CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 inhibitors : Caution should be taken when Macipah is administered concomitantly with moderate dual inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 (e.g., fluconazole and amiodarone) Caution should also be exercised when Macipah is administered concomitantly with botha moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g. ciprofloxacin, cyclosporine, dilitiazem, erythromycin, verapamil) and moderate CYP2C9 inhibitor. Renal impairment : Based on PK data no dose adjustment is required in patient with renal impairment. There is no clinical data with the use of Macipah in PAH patients with severe renal impairment or patients undergoing dialysis. Caution is recommended in this population.