The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7220 p558
19 October 2002

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News summary

New pulmonary anti-hypertensive

The endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan (Tracleer), used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), has been launched by Actelion (see p563).

Bosentan decreases pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance, which increases cardiac output without increasing heart rate. Efficacy has been shown in primary PAH and PAH secondary to scleroderma without significant interstitial pulmonary disease.

The summary of product characteristics recommends considering alternative therapies in cases where clinical deterioration occurs despite at least eight weeks of bosentan treatment. Although there is no evidence for acute rebound, bosentan should be withdrawn gradually while an alternative therapy is introduced.