Authors: Oldfield, Vicki; Lyseng-Williamson, Katherine A.

Source: American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, Volume 6, Number 3, 2006 , pp. 189-208(20)

Publisher: Adis International

Abstract:

Bosentan (Tracleer^®), an orally administered dual endothelin (ET)_A and ET_B receptor antagonist, is indicated in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

The efficacy of oral bosentan 125mg twice daily in improving exercise capacity has been demonstrated in well designed trials in adult patients with idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with connective tissue disease or congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts, and in other trials in patients with idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with congenital heart disease or HIV infection. The beneficial effects of first-line bosentan treatment may be maintained for up to 1 year in patients with idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with connective tissue disease. Despite the potential for treatment-related teratogenicity and hepatotoxicity, long-term data indicate that bosentan is generally well tolerated at the approved dosages. Although well designed trials are required to establish the efficacy of bosentan versus or in combination with other specific PAH therapies, especially sildenafil, the convenient oral administration and lack of serious injection-related adverse effects may render bosentan preferable to other PAH therapies. Preliminary data indicate that bosentan may be effective in pediatric PAH patients, although randomized trials are required. Furthermore, bosentan may be a useful option for the prevention of digital ulcer development in patients with systemic sclerosis. Thus, in accordance with current clinical guidelines, bosentan is a convenient, effective, and generally well tolerated agent for use in the first-line treatment of class III PAH or second-line treatment of class IV PAH.

Keywords: Adis Drug Evaluations; Bosentan; Endothelin A receptor antagonists; Endothelin B receptor antagonists; Pulmonary hypertension; Systemic scleroderma

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Adis International Inc., Yardley, Pennsylvania, USA

Publication date: 2006-01-01

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