Bosentan

CLINICAL USE

Treatment of primary arterial pulmonary hypertension (PAH), and PAH secondary to scleroderma without significant interstitial pulmonary disease

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

62.5–250 mg twice daily

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :551.6
  • %Protein binding                           :>98
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     : <3
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :18 litres
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :5–8/Unchanged

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • <10           : Dose as in normal renal function

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HD                     :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HDF/high flux   :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • CAV/VVHD      :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs

  • Antibacterials: concentration reduced by rifampicin – avoid concomitant use
  • Antidiabetics: increased risk of hepatoxicity with glibenclamide – avoid concomitant useAntifungals: fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole cause large increases in plasma concentrations of bosentan – avoid concomitant useAntivirals: ritonavir causes greatly increased bosentan levels – avoid concomitant use
  • Ciclosporin: co-administration of ciclosporin and bosentan is contraindicated. When ciclosporin and bosentan are co-administered, initial trough concentrations of bosentan are 30 times higher than normal. At steady state, trough levels are 3–4 times higher than normal. Blood concentrations of ciclosporin decreased by 50%
  • Lipid lowering agents: concentration of simvastatin reduced by 45% – monitor cholesterol levels and adjust dose of statin
  • Oestrogens and progestogens: may be failure of contraception – use alternative method

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    Oral

    Rate of Administration

    Comments

    OTHER INFORMATION

  • Bosentan should only be used if the systemic systolic blood pressure is >85 mm/Hg
  • Treatment with bosentan is associated with a dose-related, modest decrease in haemoglobin concentration
  • Bosentan is an inducer of CYP 3A4 and CYP 2C9Bosentan has been associated with dose-related elevations in liver aminotransferases
  • Side effects include leg oedema and hypotension
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