Can aprocitentan be discontinued suddenly and the possible risks caused by discontinuation

Aprocitentan () is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, mainly used for the long-term control of refractory hypertension. Its therapeutic goal is to continuously reduce peripheral vascular resistance and stabilize blood pressure levels. From the perspective of pharmacological mechanism, this drug is not a short-acting antihypertensive drug, but relies on continuously blocking the endothelin pathway to maintain its efficacy. Therefore, it is generally not recommended for patients to suddenly stop taking the drug without communicating with their doctor.

If a patient suddenly stops taking aprecitentan on his own, his blood pressure may rebound or even rise rapidly, especially in patients who have difficulty controlling blood pressure. Some patients may reappear with hypertension-related symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and heart palpitations within days to weeks after stopping the drug. In severe cases, they may increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. This is also an important reason why continuous use of this type of drug is emphasized in clinical practice.

In addition, sudden discontinuation may disrupt the original combined antihypertensive program. Aprexitentan is often used as part of a multi-drug combination therapy and works synergistically with other antihypertensive drugs. If one of the links is suddenly interrupted, the overall therapeutic effect may be significantly reduced. For patients with heart failure, abnormal renal function, or long-term resistant hypertension, the risk posed by this unstable factor is relatively higher.

In general, aprocitentan (Aprocitentan) is not a drug that can be stopped at will. If the drug needs to be discontinued due to adverse reactions, economic reasons, or efficacy adjustment, the treatment plan should usually be gradually evaluated and adjusted under the guidance of a doctor. If necessary, other antihypertensive drugs can be smoothly substituted to reduce blood pressure fluctuations and the risk of complications, and ensure the safety and continuity of the treatment process.

Keyword tags: aprecitentan, sudden discontinuation, blood pressure rebound, cardiovascular risk, medication safety

Reference materials:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40853274/