Key facts about Adempas
What is Adempas?
Adempas is the brand name for riociguat oral tablets.
What dosages is Adempas available in?
Adempas is available as a 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg and 2.5 mg oral tablet.
What is Adempas used for?
Adempas is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator and is used for the following:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults
- Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in adults
How does Adempas work?
Adempas is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator. It works by activating sGC, a protein that helps relax the blood vessels in the lungs and allows more blood to flow through. As a result, your heart is able to pump better, your body gets more oxygen, and you should be able to breathe and exercise easier.
How do I take Adempas?
The typical starting dose is 0.5 mg to 1 mg by mouth 3 times a day. If needed, your provider will raise your dose every 2 weeks. The maximum dose is 2.5 mg by mouth 3 times a day. Your provider will adjust your dose based on how well it’s helping your condition, if you’re having side effects, if you’re taking a medication that interacts with Adempas, and if you smoke.
Is it safe for me to take Adempas?
Adempas is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have the following.
- Pregnancy
- Use with nitrates or nitric oxide donors in any form
- Use with PDE inhibitors
- Patients with concomitant use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators
- Pulmonary hypertension associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (PH-IIP)
Adempas Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Adempas:
- Headache
- Indigestion or stomach irritation
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Anemia
- Reflux or heartburn
- Constipation
Adempas Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Adempas. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, feeling faint
- Severe bleeding: feeling faint, lightheadedness, dizziness, vomiting blood, bloody or dark-colored stools, severe stomach pain or discomfort
- Blockage in the lungs: dizziness, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, coughing
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Adempas
The following medications may interact with Adempas:
- Strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors: For patients receiving strong CYP and P-gp/BCRP inhibitors, consider a starting dose of 0.5 mg three times a day. Monitor for hypotension
- Antacids: Separate administration by at least 1 hour
Who makes Adempas?
Bayer Healthcare
Is Adempas safe in pregnancy?
Adempas can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Females must not be pregnant when they start taking Adempas or become pregnant during treatment with Adempas. Females who are able to get pregnant must use 2 acceptable forms of birth control, during treatment with Adempas and for 1 month after stopping Adempas because the medicine may still be in the body.
