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Compare Uptravi vs. Opsumit

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Uptravi (selexipag) and Opsumit (macitentan) are both medications used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but they work in different ways. Uptravi is a prostacyclin agonist that helps relax blood vessels in the lungs, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. It's generally taken orally twice a day but is also available as an IV injection if you can't take it by mouth. Common side effects include headache, diarrhea, and nausea. On the other hand, Opsumit is an endothelin receptor antagonist that blocks a protein called endothelin to relax blood vessels. It's taken once a day and can cause side effects like headache, sore throat, and anemia. Unlike Uptravi, Opsumit is not safe to use during pregnancy and requires enrollment in a special REMS program to ensure safety. Additionally, Opsumit can cause liver damage and fluid buildup in the body.

  • Uptravi (selexipag)
    Opsumit (macitentan)
  • Uptravi (selexipag)
    Opsumit (macitentan)

  • Summary of Uptravi vs. Opsumit

    Summary for Prostacyclin agonist
    Prescription only

    Uptravi (selexipag) is a prostacyclin agonist that's used in adults to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is high blood pressure in the lungs. This medication can help prevent PAH from getting worse and lower the risk for hospitalization. Uptravi (selexipag) is a tablet that's taken by mouth twice per day. It's also available as an intravenous (IV) injection for people who can't take the medication by mouth. The most common side effects include headache, diarrhea, and nausea.

    Summary for Endothelin receptor antagonist
    Prescription only

    Opsumit (macitentan) is a medication for treating people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), or high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs. It can be used alone or together with other PAH medications. Opsumit (macitentan) has several benefits, including lowering the risk of worsening of PAH and hospitalization due to PAH. But, it also has some side effects, such as headache, sore throat, and anemia.

  • Indications of Uptravi vs. Opsumit

    Indications for
    •Pulmonary arterial hypertension or PAH (high blood pressure in the blood vessels in your lungs)
    Indications for
    •Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

  • Pros and Cons of Uptravi vs. Opsumit

    Pros and Const for Prostacyclin agonist
    Pros
    •Can help prevent PAH from getting worse and lower the risk for hospitalizations
    •Tablets available in many different strengths
    •Available as an injection for people who temporarily can't take the medication by mouth
    Cons
    •Can have a lot of side effects
    •Dose needs to be raised slowly
    •Not known if it's safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Endothelin receptor antagonist
    Pros
    •Works well to slow down the worsening of PAH and make it easier to breathe, exercise, and walk longer distances
    •Taken by mouth once per day with or without food
    •Might work better than ambrisentan (Letairis) or bosentan (Tracleer)
    Cons
    •Not a cure for PAH
    •Can cause side effects like headache, fluid buildup in the body, and anemia
    •Not safe to use during pregnancy
    •Not recommended for breastfeeding mothers because we don't know if it's safe

  • Common Side Effects of Uptravi vs. Opsumit

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (65%)
    •Diarrhea (42%)
    •Nausea (33%)
    •Jaw pain (26%)
    •Vomiting (18%)
    •Pain in arms or legs (17%)
    •Muscle pain (16%)
    •Flushing (12%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Cold-like symptoms or a sore throat (20%)
    •Headache (14%)
    •Anemia (13%)
    •Bronchitis (12%)
    •Urinary tract infection (9%)
    •Flu (6%)

  • Warnings of Uptravi vs. Opsumit

    Common Side Effects for
    •Excess fluid in lungs
    Common Side Effects for
    •Not safe to use during pregnancy
    •Liver damage
    •Fluid buildup in the body
    •Anemia (low red blood cell count)

  • Prices with our coupons for Uptravi vs. Opsumit

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    Learn more about Opsumit

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