INTRODUCTION

RIOPAH 0.5MG contain Riociguat which belongs to a group of medicine called soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator. It is used to treat adults with certain forms of pulmonary hypertension such as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and certain types of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which these blood vessels become narrowed, making it harder for the heart to pump blood through them and leading to high blood pressure in the vessels. Because the heart must work harder than normal, people with pulmonary hypertension feel tiredness, dizziness and short of breath. By widening the narrowed arteries, this medicine leads to an improvement in your ability to carry out physical activity.

In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), the blood vessels of the lung are blocked or narrowed with blood clots. This medicine can be used for patients with CTEPH who cannot be operated on, or after surgery for patients in whom increased blood pressure in the lungs remains or returns.

In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the wall of the blood vessels of the lungs are thickened and the vessels become narrowed. This medicine is only prescribed for certain forms of PAH, i.e. idiopathic PAH (the cause of PAH is unknown), heritable PAH and PAH caused by connective tissue disease. Your doctor will check this. This medicine can be taken alone or together with certain other medicines used to treat PAH.

This medicine is strictly not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years. Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, heart disease, liver problems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.

USES OF RIOPAH 0.5MG

• Treat adults with certain forms of pulmonary hypertension such as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and certain types of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

HOW RIOPAH 0.5MG WORKS

RIOPAH 0.5MG works by widening the pulmonary arteries (the blood vessels that connect the heart to the lungs), making it easier for the heart to pump blood through the lungs.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always take RIOPAH 0.5MG exactly as your doctor has told you. It can be taken with or without food. Try to take RIOPAH 0.5MG at the same time each day. It should be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

SIDE EFFECTS OF RIOPAH 0.5MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Headache:

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head. Take rest in a quiet and dark room. Drink tea or coffee.

Dizziness:

Get up and move around to feel awake, take small naps to edge off the sleepiness. Give your eyes a break to avoid fatigue and eat a healthy food to boost energy.

Diarrhoea:

Drink lot of fluid such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines without talking to a doctor.

Nausea and Vomiting:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal or snack and stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Abdominal pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. apply heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

Constipation: 

Take fibre rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly.

Bloating or wind:

Eat smaller and frequent meals. Eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. If the symptoms get worse, contact your doctor straight away.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor if you are taking,

• nitrates and amyl nitrite (used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain or heart disease)
• PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil (used to treat high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (PAH) or erectile dysfunction)
• bosentan and iloprost (used for high blood pressure in the lung vessels (PAH))
• ketoconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
• abacavir, atazanavir, cobicistat, darunavir, dolutegravir, efavirenz, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, rilpivirine or ritonavir (used to treat HIV infection)
• phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone (used to treat epilepsy)
• St. John’s Wort (used to treat depression)
• ciclosporin (used for preventing rejection of transplanted organs)
• niflumic acid (used to treat joint and muscular pain)
• erlotinib, gefitinib (used to treat cancer)
• antacids such as aluminium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (used to treat stomach disease or heartburn)
• granisetron (used to treat nausea, vomiting)
• blood-thinning medicines such as anticoagulants

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT RIOPAH 0.5MG

Can I take RIOPAH 0.5MG during pregnancy?

No, it is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Can RIOPAH 0.5MG cause dizziness?

Yes, this medicine may cause dizziness in some individuals. Get up and move around to feel awake, take small naps to edge off the sleepiness. Give your eyes a break to avoid fatigue and eat a healthy food to boost energy.

Can I take RIOPAH 0.5MG during liver disease?

No, it is not recommended in patients with active liver diseases. Before taking, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

REFERENCES

1. Karly P Garnock-Jones 1. Riociguat: a review of its use in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary arterial hypertension. NIH: National Library of Medicine, National center of biotechnology Information Pubmed.gov. Nov 2014. [Accessed 30 Jan 2021] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25352393/

2. Bayer AG; Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised on Feb 2019] [Accessed 30 Jan 2021] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5334.pdf