Patient Leaflet Updated 28-Nov-2024 | Janssen-Cilag Ltd (a Johnson & Johnson Company)
Opsumit 10mg film coated tablets (Great Britain)
Opsumit 10 mg film-coated tablets
macitentan
1. What Opsumit is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Opsumit
3. How to take Opsumit
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Opsumit
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Opsumit contains the active substance macitentan, which belongs to the class of medicines called “endothelin receptor antagonists”.
Opsumit is used for the long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH):
It can be used on its own or with other medicines for PAH. PAH is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs (the pulmonary arteries). In people with PAH, these arteries get narrower, so the heart has to work harder to pump blood through them. This causes people to feel tired, dizzy, and short of breath.
Opsumit widens the pulmonary arteries, making it easier for the heart to pump blood through them. This lowers the blood pressure, relieves the symptoms and improves the course of the disease.
If any of these apply to you, please tell your doctor.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Opsumit.
You will need blood tests, as indicated by your doctor:
Your doctor will take blood test before you start treatment with Opsumit and during treatment to test:
If you have anaemia (a reduced number of red blood cells), you may have the following signs:
If you notice any of these signs, tell your doctor.
Signs that your liver may not be working properly include:
If you notice any of these signs, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have kidney problems, talk to your doctor before using Opsumit. Macitentan may lead to more reduction of blood pressure and decrease in haemoglobin in patients with kidney problems.
In patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (obstruction of the lung veins), the use of medicines for treatment of PAH, including Opsumit, may lead to pulmonary oedema. If you have signs of pulmonary oedema when using Opsumit, such as a sudden, important increase in breathlessness and low oxygen, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor may perform additional tests, and will determine what treatment regimen is most suitable for you.
Do not give this medicine to children below 2 years of age because efficacy and safety have not been established.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine. Opsumit can affect other medicines.
If you take Opsumit together with other medicines including those listed below, the effects of Opsumit or the other medicines might be altered. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
If you are taking piperine as a dietary supplement, this may alter how the body responds to some medicinal products, including Opsumit. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist should this be the case.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Opsumit may harm unborn babies conceived before, during or soon after treatment.
If you are a woman who could become pregnant, your doctor will ask you to take a pregnancy test before you start taking Opsumit and regularly (once a month) while you are taking Opsumit.
It is not known if Opsumit is transferred to breast milk. Do not breastfeed while you are taking Opsumit. Talk to your doctor about this.
If you are a man taking Opsumit, it is possible that this medicine may lower your sperm count. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Opsumit can cause side effects such as headaches and hypotension (listed in section 4), and the symptoms of your condition can also make you less fit to drive or use machines.
Opsumit contains a sugar called lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Opsumit contains lecithin derived from soya. If you are allergic to soya, do not use this medicine (see section 2 ‘Do not take Opsumit’).
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Opsumit should only be prescribed by a doctor experienced in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Adults and children aged less than 18 years weighing at least 40 kg
The recommended dose of Opsumit is one 10 mg tablet, once a day. Swallow the whole tablet, with a glass of water, do not chew or break the tablet. You can take Opsumit with or without food. It is best to take the tablet at the same time each day.
For children weighing less than 40 kg, Opsumit is available as 2.5 mg dispersible tablets. Your doctor will advise you on your dosing.
If you have taken more tablets than you have been told to take, you may experience headache, nausea, or vomiting. Ask your doctor for advice.
If you forget to take Opsumit, take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue to take your tablets at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
Opsumit is a treatment that you will need to keep on taking to control your PAH. Do not stop taking Opsumit unless you have agreed this with your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Uncommon serious side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
The side effects listed above may also be seen in children. Additional side effects commonly seen in children include upper respiratory tract infection (infected nose sinuses, or throat), rhinitis (itchy, runny, or blocked nose), and gastroenteritis (inflammed stomach and gut).
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use Opsumit after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer require. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Opsumit 10 mg film-coated tablets are white to off-white, biconvex, round, with “10” on both sides.
Opsumit is supplied as 10 mg film-coated tablets in blister packs of 30 tablets.
For information in large print, tape, CD or Braille, telephone 0800 7318450.
This leaflet was last revised in November 2024.
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