What is Adempas?
Adempas is the first and only medicine approved by the FDA to treat adults with:
- Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) (WHO Group 4) treated with surgery but who continue to have high pulmonary blood pressure, whose high pressure returns after surgery, or whose CTEPH cannot be treated with surgery.
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1).
The Adempas clinical studies included mostly patients with WHO functional class II–III symptoms. It is not known if Adempas is safe and effective in children.
How far might Adempas take you?
Patients with PAH and CTEPH taking Adempas were able to walk farther in a 6-minute walk distance test than patients taking placebo in the clinical studies shown below.
How is Adempas taken?
Adempas will be provided to you by a certified pharmacy. Your doctor will give you complete details.
Adempas is taken 3 times each day, about 6 to 8 hours apart, with or without food.
If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the regular time.
Always take Adempas exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not stop or change your dose without talking to your doctor.
If you take an antacid containing aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, take it at least 1 hour after Adempas. Before starting Adempas, sildenafil should be stopped for at least 24 hours and tadalafil for at least 48 hours. Before starting a PDE-5 inhibitor after Adempas, Adempas should be stopped for at least 24 hours. Follow your prescriber’s instructions when changing therapies.
Your doctor may adjust your dose
The recommended Adempas starting dose is 1 mg 3 times a day. If you may not tolerate its blood-pressure-lowering effect, your doctor may start at 0.5 mg 3 times a day. If tolerated, the dose may be increased by 0.5 mg 3 times a day no sooner than every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 2.5 mg 3 times a day.
When to contact your doctor
- Symptoms of low blood pressure such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Any adverse side effects
- If you take too much Adempas
- If you miss 3 or more days
- If you stop or start smoking
Can't swallow whole tablets?
Adempas may be crushed and mixed with water or soft foods such as applesauce immediately before administration.
Medication Guide for Patients →Side effects and management
The most common side effects of Adempas include headache, dizziness, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling of the hands, legs, feet, or ankles. Tell your doctor if a side effect bothers you or does not go away.
Report symptoms promptly to your doctor. Hypotension is also a possible adverse effect, particularly during dose adjustment.
Starting a new specialty medication
- 1Referral
Your physician completes and signs a referral form that is sent to the manufacturer's support hub.
- 2Benefits verification
The hub verifies insurance benefits and identifies the in-network specialty pharmacy.
- 3Prior authorization
Your insurance reviews the request. If it is not approved, the care team may investigate and appeal.
- 4Financial assistance if needed
Commercially insured patients may qualify for manufacturer assistance; Medicare / Medicaid patients may have access to charitable foundations.
- 5Shipment
Once approved, the specialty pharmacy contacts you to arrange delivery to your home.
Financial support
Aim Patient Support Program
Support may include financial assistance and education. For more information, call 1-855-4ADEMPAS (1-855-423-3672).
Co-pay assistance
Eligible patients with private commercial insurance may receive help with co-pays or coinsurance, subject to program rules and annual limits.
Patient Assistance Program
Eligible uninsured or underinsured patients may receive medicine at no cost when program criteria are met.
Charitable assistance funds
Independent foundations may be able to assist eligible Medicare and Medicaid patients with copay support.
Patient support and expectations
Patient support
As you start taking Adempas, you can rely on resources and support through the Aim Patient Support Program. You can also find pulmonary hypertension support groups through the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
What to expect
Benefits from pulmonary hypertension treatment may build gradually over months, while side effects can occur earlier. Discuss side effects and dose-adjustment concerns with your doctor or nurse rather than changing treatment on your own.