HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Observations regarding the use of the aquaretic agent conivaptan for treatment of hyponatremia.

Abstract
The treatment of hyponatremia, especially euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia, has changed with the development of drugs which function as vasopressin receptor antagonists. These agents increase solute-free water excretion by the kidney resulting in an aquaresis. Conivaptan, a vasopressin receptor antagonist, has recently been approved by the FDA in the United States for use in the therapy of both euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia. This report summarizes one center's experience with ten patients treated with this new drug. The patients had euvolemic hyponatremia with serum sodium levels less than 128 mEq/l. The same protocol was used in all patients with the conivaptan being given as a 20-mg intravenous loading dose followed by a 20-mg continuous 24-h infusion. Review of the data revealed that six of the ten patients had an excellent response to the therapy, with serum sodium increasing by a mean of 8.5+/-0.8 mEq/l (increases ranged from 7 to 12 mEq/l over 24 h). No significant changes in serum potassium levels or mean arterial pressures were noted. Two of the ten patients experienced a decrease in urine osmolality without a significant increase in serum sodium. Two other patients had only slight decreases in urine osmolality, and no significant increase in serum sodium levels. The data reveal that conivaptan is useful in the management of significant hyponatremia. There were no significant untoward effects, with the exception of one patient whose blood pressure decreased during the conivaptan infusion and who responded to cessation of the infusion and saline replacement therapy. This new class of drugs holds great promise for the treatment of dilutional hyponatremic disorders.
AuthorsBenjamin L Metzger, Maria V DeVita, Michael F Michelis
JournalInternational urology and nephrology (Int Urol Nephrol) Vol. 40 Issue 3 Pg. 725-30 ( 2008) ISSN: 0301-1623 [Print] Netherlands
PMID18363040 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists
  • Benzazepines
  • conivaptan
Topics
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists
  • Benzazepines (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia (drug therapy)
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: