Yes, there is a generic for Adempas: generic riociguat is available in the United States in the same 5 strengths as the brand, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg and 2.5 mg tablets, according to Lexidrug. It contains the same active ingredient, riociguat, and is taken the same way.
Here is what the generic means for you: what stays the same, what can look different, what it costs, and what to ask before you switch.
Is There a Generic Version of Adempas?
Yes, generic riociguat is available in the US in all 5 Adempas strengths.
Adempas (riociguat) was first approved by the FDA on October 8, 2013 (Lexidrug). Today Lexidrug lists both the brand and generic riociguat tablets in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg and 2.5 mg. Your pharmacy fills whichever your prescriber orders and your plan covers.
Is Generic Riociguat the Same as Adempas?
Generic riociguat has the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and way of taking it as Adempas, and the FDA requires generics to work the same way in the body as the brand.
According to the FDA, an approved generic must match the brand in active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route, and must be shown to be bioequivalent, which means it delivers the same amount of medicine into the body in the same amount of time. Generics can differ in inactive ingredients, color, shape and packaging, so your tablets may look different from what you are used to. If you notice a change in how your tablets look, ask your pharmacist to confirm it is the right medicine and strength.
What Is Riociguat Used For?
Riociguat treats two types of high blood pressure in the lungs in adults: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
For PAH (WHO Group 1), it is used to improve exercise capacity and functional class and to delay clinical worsening. For CTEPH (WHO Group 4), it is used when the condition cannot be treated with surgery or when it persists or returns after surgery (FDA prescribing information). Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator: it relaxes and widens the blood vessels in the lungs by boosting the nitric oxide pathway (Lexidrug).
How Do You Take Generic Riociguat?
Generic riociguat is taken exactly like Adempas: a tablet by mouth 3 times a day, with or without food.
According to Lexidrug, treatment usually starts at 1 mg 3 times a day (0.5 mg 3 times a day for patients at higher risk of low blood pressure) and may be increased by 0.5 mg no sooner than every 2 weeks, up to 2.5 mg 3 times a day. Tablets may be crushed and mixed with water or a soft food like applesauce right before taking. If treatment is interrupted for 3 days or more, the dose has to be restarted slowly. Antacids should be taken at least 1 hour apart from riociguat.
Always take riociguat exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose, switch between brand and generic, or stop treatment without talking to your prescriber.
What Are the Side Effects of Riociguat?
The most common side effects of riociguat are headache, dizziness, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and low blood pressure.
Lexidrug reports headache in 27% of patients, dizziness in 20%, indigestion or stomach irritation in up to 21%, nausea in 14%, diarrhea in 12%, vomiting in 10% and low blood pressure in 10%. Less common effects include anemia, constipation and acid reflux. Serious bleeding has been reported in about 2% of patients. The generic carries the same side effects and warnings as the brand.
Important Safety Information
- Boxed warning: riociguat can harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy must be ruled out before treatment, and patients who can become pregnant should use effective birth control before, during and for 1 month after treatment (Lexidrug; FDA label).
- Do not take riociguat with nitrates or nitric oxide donors, PDE-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil or tadalafil), nonspecific PDE inhibitors (such as dipyridamole or theophylline) or other sGC stimulators (Lexidrug).
- Riociguat can lower blood pressure and has been linked to serious bleeding. Call your doctor if you feel very dizzy, faint, or notice signs of bleeding (Lexidrug).
- Smoking lowers riociguat levels by about 50% to 60%; tell your care team if you smoke or quit (Lexidrug).
Is Generic Riociguat Cheaper Than Adempas?
At list price, generic riociguat is about 10% cheaper than Adempas: $177.68 per tablet versus $197.42 (AWP, Medi-Span via Lexidrug, October 10, 2026).
That works out to about $15,991 versus $17,768 for a 30-day supply at 3 tablets a day. These are list prices before insurance; what you pay depends on your plan. For the full breakdown, see our Adempas (riociguat) cost guide.
Can You Switch From Adempas to Generic Riociguat?
You can switch from Adempas to generic riociguat when your prescriber agrees and your plan covers it.
Some plans prefer the generic, and others cover only one version, so the cheaper option on paper may not be the cheaper option for you. Ask your prescriber and your plan which version they recommend. Copay assistance can help with either one: QuickRx patient navigators check your coverage, apply for the programs you qualify for, and coordinate with your prescriber, free of charge. Learn more about our Adempas copay assistance or call (917) 830-2525.
“When a generic comes out, patients often worry it won’t work as well. Generic riociguat has the same active ingredient and is taken the same way. What we help with is figuring out which version your plan covers best and getting the cost down from there.
Julia Kravtsova, PharmD
Head Patient Navigator, QuickRx Specialty Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a generic for Adempas?
Yes. Generic riociguat is available in the United States in the same 5 strengths as Adempas: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg and 2.5 mg tablets, according to Lexidrug.
Is generic riociguat as effective as Adempas?
The FDA requires approved generics to have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route as the brand and to be bioequivalent, meaning they deliver the same amount of medicine in the same amount of time. See FDA Generic Drug Facts.
Why do my riociguat tablets look different?
Generics can have different inactive ingredients, colors, shapes and packaging than the brand. If your tablets look different, ask your pharmacist to confirm the medicine and strength before you take them.
How much does generic riociguat cost?
Generic riociguat lists at $177.68 per tablet, about $15,991 for a 30-day supply at 3 tablets a day (AWP, Medi-Span via Lexidrug, October 10, 2026). Your actual cost depends on your insurance and the assistance you qualify for.
Can I get help paying for generic riociguat?
Yes. QuickRx patient navigators check copay programs, patient assistance programs and foundation grants for brand or generic riociguat and apply on your behalf, free of charge. Eligible patients may pay $0. Call (917) 830-2525 to get started.
Sources and Further Reading
Learn more about Adempas (riociguat) and pulmonary hypertension from these trusted sources:
- FDA: Adempas (riociguat) prescribing information and Medication Guide
- DailyMed (NIH): riociguat drug labels
- FDA: Generic Drug Facts
- MedlinePlus: Pulmonary Hypertension
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary Hypertension Association
- Medicare.gov: Part D drug coverage
Clinical Reference: Riociguat (Lexi-Drugs), Lexidrug via UpToDate, Last Updated October 10, 2026. Adempas (riociguat) [prescribing information]. Whippany, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc; August 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change any medication or dose without talking to your prescriber. Prices shown are list prices for reference only. Copay cards, patient assistance programs and foundation grants are offered and controlled by their sponsors, not by QuickRx; eligibility rules are set by each sponsor, not every patient qualifies, and programs may change or close at any time. QuickRx does not issue copay cards; we apply on your behalf.
Written by: Paola Larrabure, Pharma Content Manager
Clinically reviewed by: Julia Kravtsova, PharmD, Head Patient Navigator
Last updated: October 12, 2026
Questions about generic riociguat? Our navigators can help.
