Adempas

Generic name:riociguat [ RYE-oh-SIG-ue-at ]
Drug class:Vasodilators

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

What is Adempas?

Adempas lowers blood pressure in your lungs, helping your heart pump blood more efficiently.

Adempas is used to treat chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in people who cannot be treated with surgery, or in people who have undergone surgery but still have symptoms. Riociguat can treat certain symptoms of CTEPH and can improve your ability to exercise.

Adempas is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Riociguat can improve your ability to exercise and help prevent PAH from getting worse.

Adempas is available to women only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of this medicine.

Warnings

Adempas can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. You must use highly effective birth control while taking Adempas and for at least 1 month after your last dose. Do not have unprotected sex.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact with riociguat, and some drugs should not be used together.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Adempas if you are allergic to riociguat, or if:

• you are pregnant or might become pregnant during treatment; or

• you have PAH related to a condition called idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (PH-IIP).

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Adempas. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• dipyridamole;

• theophylline;

• erectile dysfunction medicine such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and others;

• a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems (amyl nitrite, nitroglycerin, and others); or

• other medicines to treat PAH (Adcirca or Revatio).

Do not take Adempas within 24 hours before or after taking sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), or within 24 hours before or 48 hours after taking tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis).

To make sure Adempas is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, blood circulation problems;

• low blood pressure;

• a condition called pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD);

• a cough with bloody mucus, or bleeding from your lung;

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