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Ambrisentan in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a guide to its use in the EU

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Abstract

Ambrisentan [Volibris® (EU), Letairis® (USA)] is an effective and well-tolerated oral option for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) classified as WHO functional class (FC) II or III. It is recommended as initial mono- or combination treatment in patients with non-vasoreactive WHO FC II or III PAH. Clinical trials have shown that ambrisentan monotherapy provides sustained clinical benefits in patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH), including improvements in exercise capacity, and that initial combination treatment with ambrisentan + tadalafil provides greater clinical benefits, including a reduced risk of clinical failure, than initial monotherapy with either ambrisentan or tadalafil. Mono- or combination therapy with ambrisentan has an acceptable tolerability and safety profile.

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Acknowledgments

The manuscript was reviewed by: S. A. Antoniu, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi, Romania; Y. Cavusoglu, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey; T. L. M. De Backer, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; D. Skowasch, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; A. R. Tomasik, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of ambrisentan was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from comments received were made by the authors on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Centre, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Jürgen Behr

  2. Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson

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Correspondence to Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Confict of interest

J. Behr declares having received payments for consulting and lecturing from Actelion, Bayer, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, and having received a grant from Actelion. K. A. Lyseng-Williamson is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer and declares no conflict of interest.

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Behr, J., Lyseng-Williamson, K.A. Ambrisentan in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a guide to its use in the EU. Drugs Ther Perspect 32, 50–59 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-015-0273-2

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