Aprocitentan at a glance
Medicine class
Dual endothelin receptor antagonist.
Licensed use
Resistant hypertension in adults, alongside at least three other antihypertensive medicines.
Food
May be taken with or without food.
Tablet administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole; it is not scored.
Additional monitoring
JERAYGO is subject to additional safety monitoring in the UK.
What is Aprocitentan used for?
Aprocitentan is licensed in the UK for:
Treating resistant hypertension in adults alongside at least three other antihypertensive medicines.
How does Aprocitentan work?
Aprocitentan blocks ETA and ETB receptors, reducing the blood-vessel-tightening effects of endothelin-1. This relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Aprocitentan preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg
How to take Aprocitentan
Take aprocitentan exactly as prescribed. Continue your other blood-pressure medicines unless your prescriber changes them.
Swallow the tablet whole; it is not scored.
It may be taken with or without food.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with your prescriber.
Aprocitentan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Swelling or fluid retention, particularly around the ankles, feet, legs or face
- Reduced haemoglobin or anaemia
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash or allergic swelling
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, especially facial or throat swelling or difficulty breathing
- Fluid retention with rapid weight gain, worsening swelling or breathlessness, which may indicate heart failure
- Possible liver injury, including yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, upper-right abdominal pain, itching or unusual exhaustion
- Symptomatic anaemia, such as pronounced weakness, dizziness, pallor, palpitations or a fast heartbeat
Aprocitentan in pregnancy
Aprocitentan is contraindicated during pregnancy because it may harm an unborn baby. Reliable contraception is required during treatment and for one month after stopping. Pregnancy testing is recommended before treatment, monthly during treatment and one month after stopping. If pregnancy occurs or is suspected, stop the medicine and contact the prescriber immediately.
Aprocitentan while breastfeeding
Aprocitentan is contraindicated during breastfeeding. It is unknown whether it enters human milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Discuss feeding alternatives with the prescriber.
Aprocitentan interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, including non-prescription and herbal products.
Methotrexate and other narrow-therapeutic-index OAT3 substrates
Aprocitentan may increase their blood concentrations, requiring caution and appropriate clinical monitoring.
Tizanidine and other narrow-therapeutic-index CYP1A2 substrates
Aprocitentan may alter their exposure through possible enzyme induction; use together cautiously.
Hormonal contraceptives
A clinical interaction study did not show reduced exposure to the tested hormones, but reliable contraception remains essential because pregnancy is contraindicated.
Common questions about Aprocitentan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is aprocitentan added to other blood-pressure medicines?
It targets the endothelin pathway, which is not directly blocked by most established antihypertensive medicines. Its UK licence is specifically as add-on treatment for resistant hypertension.
Does it replace my existing blood-pressure medicines?
Usually not. It is licensed for use alongside at least three antihypertensive medicines. Only the prescriber should change your treatment.
More questions about Aprocitentan
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.