Ambrisentan
Ambrisentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist for pulmonary arterial hypertension, sold here as Letairis tablets in 5mg and 10mg, taken once daily.
What ambrisentan treats
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is high blood pressure in the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs. The vessel walls tighten, the right side of the heart has to work harder, and breathlessness and swollen ankles follow. Ambrisentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist: it blocks endothelin, a substance the body makes that squeezes those arteries. Ease the squeeze and the pressure in the lung circulation drops, which takes strain off the heart and makes exercise easier. Ambrisentan slows the worsening of PAH and improves how much you can do; it holds the condition steady rather than curing it, so it is taken long term. It is one of several medicines used for this rare condition.
How you take ambrisentan
Ambrisentan is one tablet a day, swallowed whole with water at about the same hour; meals make no difference. The usual start is 5mg, and the dose can rise to 10mg. When a second PAH medicine is added, tadalafil is the common choice. Anyone also on ciclosporin stays at 5mg, because ciclosporin raises ambrisentan levels in the body. The tablets are not taken in pregnancy, since they can harm an unborn baby. A sudden stop can let symptoms return, so treatment normally runs without a break.
Letairis 5mg and 10mg tablets
Two strengths of Letairis are sold, 5mg and 10mg tablets, and both contain ambrisentan. Choosing is a matter of dose alone, since the tablet and the once-daily routine stay the same. Add either strength to an order from the product page.
What ambrisentan can cause
Flushing, headache, a blocked nose and a pounding heartbeat are the effects people notice most. Swelling of the hands, ankles or feet — fluid build-up — is another common one, along with sinus trouble, stomach ache and constipation. Ambrisentan can affect the liver and lower red blood cell counts, so blood tests for both run alongside treatment. Signs of a liver problem include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and dark urine; anaemia (too few red blood cells) shows as tiredness and breathlessness. In men, sperm count can fall while on treatment.
Sources
- Ambrisentan: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ambrisentan (Letairis) - PH Association — phassociation.org
Is Ambrisentan available to order in Hong Kong?
Ambrisentan can be ordered online from PockDose with delivery to Hong Kong. The range on this page is generic Letairis tablets in 5mg and 10mg. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted payment page, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
What is the price of Ambrisentan?
The price depends on the strength and pack size you choose. The Letairis page shows current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Does PockDose sell generic Letairis?
Yes, generic Letairis is listed as 5mg and 10mg tablets and contains ambrisentan. It is the only version of ambrisentan on this page, so there is no plain ingredient tablet or further named version alongside it.
What is another name for ambrisentan?
Letairis is a brand name of ambrisentan, which is also sold as Volibris. Here, ambrisentan can be bought online as generic Letairis. These are generics, not the original brand.
Can ambrisentan be taken with tadalafil?
Yes, and many people take both. Tadalafil is a separate tablet with its own daily dose; it relaxes the lung arteries through a different signal from the endothelin that ambrisentan blocks. Taking both means two tablets a day, one of each.
What happens if I forget a dose of ambrisentan?
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, unless the next dose is nearly due. If it is, leave the missed one and take the next at your usual time — never two tablets at once.
Does ambrisentan affect sperm count?
Yes — a fall in sperm count has been reported in men taking ambrisentan, and it counts among the medicine's known effects. It is worth knowing about if you are planning to father a child. Ambrisentan is not used in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby.
Why does ambrisentan need blood tests?
Two things are watched: the liver and the blood count. Ambrisentan can push liver enzymes up and can lower red blood cells, and neither announces itself early. Regular tests pick up a change before it shows as tiredness or breathlessness, which is how anaemia usually makes itself known.