What is Vaprisol?
Vaprisol is a vasopressin antagonist that lowers the levels of a hormone that regulates the balance of salt and water (sodium) within the body. A high level of this hormone could result in an imbalance resulting in low sodium levels as well as fluid retention.
Vaprisol is a medication used in the treatment of the condition of hyponatremia (low salt levels).Vaprisol increases the flow of urine without causing your body to lose sodium too quickly as you flush.
Warnings
You shouldn't take Vaprisol if you're allergic to corn-based products or if you are not able to go to the bathroom.The risk of serious drug interactions is higher when certain medications are used in combination. Discuss with your physician all the medicines you are currently taking and any new medications you begin or stop taking.Before taking Vaprisol, consult your physician if you suffer from congestive cardiac failure. Kidney disease, liver disease, alcoholism, or you're undernourished.
To make sure that the medication is working for you, the blood needs to be analyzed frequently. Inform your healthcare providers immediately in the event of a severe side effect, such as extreme thirst, confusion, a weak muscle, the feeling of being limp, having trouble talking or swallowing, mental fluctuations, discomfort, or swelling at the site where the IV needle was located. There are a myriad of other medications that shouldn't be used in conjunction with conivaptan. These include certain antifungal or antibiotic medicines and blood pressure medications, as well as HIV/AIDS medication.
Before you take this drug
Vaprisol should not be taken if you are sensitive to corn-based products or have difficulty urinating.Certain medicines may cause undesirable or harmful effects when combined with Vaprisol. Your doctor may have to alter your treatment plan when you take any of these drugs:
- Lomitapide;
- Medication to treat the mental or emotional symptoms of depression: nefazodone and lurasidone pimozide and nefazodone
- As an antibiotic: clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin
- Antifungal medicine: itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole;
- Medication to treat heart and blood pressure conditions includes dronedarone, eplerenone, nimodipine and ranolazine;
- HIV/AIDS medicine: atazanavir, cobicistat, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, and ritonavir;
- Medicine used to treat hepatitis C, boceprevir, or telaprevir;
- Prostate medicine: alfuzosin, silodosin.
To be sure Vaprisol is appropriate for you, consult your doctor if you suffer from:
- Congestive heart failure;
- Liver disease;
- Kidney disease;
- Alcoholism;
- HIV or AIDS;
- Malnourishment;
- A condition that requires you to be prescribed digoxin (digitalis)
It isn't known if this medication will affect a newborn baby. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.Vaprisol could influence the quality of fertility (the ability to have children) in women.It is unclear if conivaptan is absorbed into breast milk or whether it is harmful to nursing infants. It is not recommended to breastfeed when you take Vaprisol.
How to take Vaprisol?
Vaprisol is injectable into a vein via an IV. This injection is administered in a hospital setting.
Vaprisol can be administered at any time for up to 4 days. This medicine is generally administered only in hospitals.There is a possibility of having extremely low blood pressure when taking this medication. Inform your doctor when you feel fatigued, weak, or dizzy. You may also feel lightheaded if you are vomiting or having diarrhea.
Because conivaptan is known to irritate the vein or skin in the body, the IV needle is moved to an alternate vein every day.To ensure that this medication will help your illness, the blood of your patient needs to be examined frequently.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hyponatremia:
Initial dose Dose of 20 mg IV, once every 30 minutes. Then, follow with 20 mg IV infusions continuously over the course of 24 hours.
After the initial days of the treatment, give 20 mg of continuous IV infusion over a period of 24 hours for a further 1–3 days. Could titrate to the maximum of 40 mg per continuous IV infusion for 24 hours if the serum sodium isn't rising at the appropriate rate.
Comments:
The total time of an infusion (after taking the load dose) is not to be more than 4 days.
Frequently check serum sodium levels and the volume of blood when administering.
Use: To increase the sodium levels of patients in hospitals with hypervolemic or euvolemic hyponatremia.
The Usual Adult Dose of Hyponatremia Euvolemic:
Initial dose Dose of 20 mg IV every 30 minutes Then, follow with 20 mg IV infusions continuously over the course of 24 hours.
After the initial days of the treatment, give 20 mg of continuous IV infusion every 24 hours over 1–3 days. Can titrate up to the maximum of 40 mg per continuous IV infusion over 24 hours in the event that serum sodium isn't rising at the appropriate rate.
Comments:
The total time of the infusion (after taking the load dose) must not be more than 4 days.
Monitor serum sodium levels and volume levels frequently when administering.
Use: To increase the sodium levels of patients in hospitals with hypervolemic or euvolemic hyponatremia.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Because Vaprisol is prescribed by a doctor and is prescribed by a healthcare professional, you are unlikely to skip a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Because this medication is administered by a medical specialist in a medical setting, it is highly unlikely for an overdose to occur.
What should be avoided?
Follow your doctor's advice on the type and quantity of liquids you need to consume. In some instances, drinking too much fluid can be just as harmful as drinking too little.
Do not get up too quickly from a seated or lying position where you could get dizzy. Make sure to get up slowly and steadily to avoid falling.
Side effects of Vaprisol
Take immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction with Vaprisol, such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of your lips, face, and throat,
Inform your caregivers immediately. If you suffer from:
- A lightheaded sensation, similar to when you're about to pass out.
- Low potassium confusion, unsteady heart rate, intense thirst, more frequent urination, muscle weakness, or a feeling of limpness
- Symptoms of a rapid rise in the levels of sodium: trouble talking, swallowing difficulties, mood swings, muscle spasms and weakness of your arms or legs, seizures.
Common vaprisol side effects can include:
- Fever;
- Low potassium
- Headache, mild dizziness,
- Discomfort, redness, and swelling of the area around the needle.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Numerous drugs may be incompatible with conivaptan, and certain medications should not be taken in conjunction with each other. You may need to wait at least one week following the last dose of vaprisol before taking different medications. Talk to your doctor about the specific treatment plan you have in mind.
There are not all the interactions mentioned in this medication guide. Inform your doctor about the medications you take and those you stop or start using while you are taking Vaprisol. This includes over-the-counter and prescription supplements, vitamins, as well as herbal remedies. Provide an inventory of all your medications to any health professional who cares for you.