MACITENTAN

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.

Macitentan Adverse Events: High Serious Reaction Rate and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Concerns

188,657 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About MACITENTAN

MACITENTAN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.. Based on analysis of 188,657 FDA adverse event reports, MACITENTAN has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for MACITENTAN include DYSPNOEA, HEADACHE, DEATH, DIARRHOEA, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for MACITENTAN.

AI Safety Analysis

Macitentan has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 188,657 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Actelion Pharmaceuticals Us, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Dyspnoea, Headache, Death. Of classified reports, 71.6% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Macitentan reports a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory issues.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension and fluid retention are among the most frequently reported conditions. The drug is associated with a significant number of hospitalizations and deaths.

Patients taking Macitentan should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Macitentan is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment and should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. It may interact with other drugs that affect blood pressure, such as diuretics. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Macitentan received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 71.6% serious event ratio across 66,727 classified reports. The score accounts for 188,657 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DYSPNOEA11,679 reports
HEADACHE8,041 reports
DEATH7,277 reports
DIARRHOEA6,397 reports
NAUSEA5,813 reports
FATIGUE4,870 reports
PNEUMONIA4,468 reports
DIZZINESS4,380 reports
HOSPITALISATION4,042 reports
FLUID RETENTION3,777 reports
COUGH3,772 reports
MALAISE3,529 reports
HYPOTENSION3,521 reports
PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION3,239 reports
VOMITING3,114 reports
PAIN2,683 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY2,607 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED2,600 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING2,565 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL2,561 reports
DYSPNOEA EXERTIONAL2,460 reports
OXYGEN SATURATION DECREASED2,442 reports
ASTHENIA2,423 reports
CHEST PAIN2,417 reports
FALL2,199 reports
PAIN IN JAW2,141 reports
ANAEMIA2,040 reports
PULMONARY HYPERTENSION2,004 reports
NASAL CONGESTION1,967 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,945 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,921 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,784 reports
OEDEMA1,779 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED1,772 reports
PYREXIA1,756 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS1,714 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL1,646 reports
FLUSHING1,554 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE1,551 reports
SYNCOPE1,544 reports
INFUSION SITE PAIN1,519 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE1,472 reports
PALPITATIONS1,419 reports
BACK PAIN1,328 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,309 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT1,301 reports
MYALGIA1,301 reports
RIGHT VENTRICULAR FAILURE1,276 reports
EPISTAXIS1,263 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER1,253 reports
PULMONARY OEDEMA1,216 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT1,208 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE1,189 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED1,186 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION1,139 reports
HYPOXIA1,130 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE1,115 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION1,091 reports
SWELLING1,084 reports
INSOMNIA1,070 reports
THERAPY NON RESPONDER1,059 reports
INFLUENZA1,051 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,037 reports
CONSTIPATION1,036 reports
FLUID OVERLOAD1,032 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION1,019 reports
RASH988 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION969 reports
PRURITUS961 reports
DYSPEPSIA949 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION946 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED944 reports
PRODUCTIVE COUGH941 reports
TRANSFUSION916 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE914 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE DECREASED909 reports
DEHYDRATION892 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT884 reports
ANXIETY882 reports
COVID 19876 reports
SEPSIS871 reports
INFUSION SITE ERYTHEMA852 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION838 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS837 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN829 reports
CARDIAC DISORDER756 reports
BRONCHITIS754 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS733 reports
RENAL FAILURE726 reports
SINUSITIS725 reports
INFECTION709 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE695 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION690 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE670 reports
ASCITES665 reports
CHILLS661 reports
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE653 reports
ERYTHEMA646 reports
ILLNESS640 reports
RHINORRHOEA639 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • Fluid retention
  • High serious reaction rate (71.6%)

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 48,658, Male: 16,008, Unknown: 8. The most frequently reported age groups are age 69 (1,274 reports), age 70 (1,243 reports), age 65 (1,222 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 66,727 classified reports for MACITENTAN:

  • Serious: 47,757 reports (71.6%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 18,970 reports (28.4%)
Serious 71.6%Non-Serious 28.4%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female48,658 (75.2%)
Male16,008 (24.8%)
Unknown8 (0.0%)

Reports by Age

Age 691,274 reports
Age 701,243 reports
Age 651,222 reports
Age 731,191 reports
Age 751,188 reports
Age 721,185 reports
Age 711,178 reports
Age 741,174 reports
Age 681,172 reports
Age 661,162 reports
Age 671,157 reports
Age 601,061 reports
Age 771,056 reports
Age 621,054 reports
Age 761,041 reports
Age 641,027 reports
Age 631,008 reports
Age 61986 reports
Age 78949 reports
Age 59941 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Macitentan is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment and should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. It may interact with other drugs that affect blood pressure, such as diuretics.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Macitentan, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include dyspnoea, headache, death, diarrhoea, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor for potential side effects. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors Macitentan due to its high risk of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should regularly monitor patients for signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension and fluid retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Macitentan?

The FDA has received approximately 188,657 adverse event reports associated with Macitentan. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Macitentan?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Macitentan include Dyspnoea, Headache, Death, Diarrhoea, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Dyspnoea (11,679 reports), Headache (8,041 reports), Death (7,277 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Macitentan.

What percentage of Macitentan adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 66,727 classified reports, 47,757 (71.6%) were classified as serious and 18,970 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Macitentan (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Macitentan break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 48,658, Male: 16,008, Unknown: 8. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Macitentan?

The most frequently reported age groups for Macitentan adverse events are: age 69: 1,274 reports, age 70: 1,243 reports, age 65: 1,222 reports, age 73: 1,191 reports, age 75: 1,188 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Macitentan?

The primary manufacturer associated with Macitentan adverse event reports is Actelion Pharmaceuticals Us, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Macitentan?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Macitentan include: Fatigue, Pneumonia, Dizziness, Hospitalisation, Fluid Retention. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Macitentan?

You can report adverse events from Macitentan to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Macitentan's safety score and what does it mean?

Macitentan has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Macitentan reports a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory issues.

What are the key safety signals for Macitentan?

Key safety signals identified in Macitentan's adverse event data include: Pulmonary arterial hypertension. Fluid retention. High serious reaction rate (71.6%). These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Macitentan interact with other drugs?

Macitentan is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment and should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. It may interact with other drugs that affect blood pressure, such as diuretics. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Macitentan.

What should patients know before taking Macitentan?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor for potential side effects.

Are Macitentan side effects well-documented?

Macitentan has 188,657 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Pulmonary arterial hypertension and fluid retention are among the most frequently reported conditions. The volume of reports for Macitentan reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Macitentan?

The FDA closely monitors Macitentan due to its high risk of serious adverse events. Healthcare providers should regularly monitor patients for signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension and fluid retention. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

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Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.