Bosentan tablets

About bosentan

You will have been prescribed bosentan for one of two different conditions: pulmonary arterial hypertension, or systemic sclerosis. It will be prescribed for you by a doctor who is a specialist.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition where there is too high a blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply your lungs from your heart. Bosentan relaxes the muscle cells in the walls of the blood vessels to your lungs, allowing them to become wider (dilated). This reduces the pressure in these blood vessels and allows blood to flow more easily through them. In turn, this increases the supply of blood to your lungs and improves your ability to do physical activities.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective system disorder. This is a disorder where your immune system (which normally protects your body) causes damage to your connective system. Some people with systemic sclerosis develop ulcers on their fingertips or toes as a symptom of the condition. These ulcers can be painful and difficult to heal. Bosentan can help prevent new ulcers from occurring.

Before taking bosentan

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking bosentan tablets it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are or could become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

• If you have problems with the way your liver works.

• If you have a low blood pressure.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take bosentan tablets

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about bosentan, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take bosentan tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. They are usually taken twice daily, morning and evening. There are two different strengths of tablet - 62.5 mg and 125 mg. It is likely you will be started on the lower strength and then changed to the higher strength after about four weeks. If bosentan has been prescribed for a child, the dose will be calculated from your child's weight and so will be different to the doses given here.

• Swallow the tablet whole, preferably with a drink of water. You can take bosentan tablets either with or without food.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case take the next dose when it is due and leave out the forgotten dose). Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep all your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have regular blood tests while on bosentan to check that you do not develop anaemia. Your doctor will also want to check that your liver stays healthy. Signs that your liver may not be working properly are feeling sick, a high temperature, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice), stomach pain, feeling unusually tired, and flu-like symptoms - let your doctor know straightaway if you develop any of these.

• You must avoid getting pregnant while you are taking bosentan because it could cause harm to an unborn baby. Make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you, as some hormonal contraceptives (such as 'the pill') are not sufficiently reliable. Your doctor will ask you to have a pregnancy test before you start taking bosentan, and then monthly during the treatment.

• It is possible that bosentan taken long-term reduces fertility in men by lowering the sperm count. Discuss this with your doctor if you have any concerns about it.

• If you are due to have an operation or some other medical treatment, it is important that you tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking bosentan.

• If you buy any medicines, check with your doctor or a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take.

• Keep taking the tablets regularly until your doctor tells you otherwise. Stopping suddenly can cause problems and your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

Can bosentan cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with bosentan. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store bosentan

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
  

Important information about all medicines