Vaprisol

Vaprisol is a vasopressin receptor antagonist used to treat euvolemic hyponatremia.

This drug works by maintaining the right amount of sodium that the body needs. This drug requires a prescription.

Before using Vaprisol, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications. Studies in children on the correlation of age to the effects of conivaptan have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established.

Studies in the elderly have not demonstrated any geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the utility of conivaptan.

Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women or animals are still inadequate. Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding.

Discuss with your healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of this drug before breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as Azole antifungals, HIV protease inhibitors, macrolides, nefazodone, telithromycin, Amlodipine, benzodiazepines, digoxin, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription drugs. Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects.

Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems such as hypovolemic hyponatremia, heart disease, kidney or liver diseases.

Proper usage of Vaprisol requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. A trained health professional will be the only one to give you this drug. To prevent irritation, change the infusion site every 24 hours. The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients.

The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed. The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug.

Adults with euvolemic hyponatremia are initially given 20 milligrams administered over 30 minutes. Then, another 20 mg infused continuously for 24 hours. This drug may be continued to be given for another 1 to 3 days in a continuous infusion of 20 mg per day.

All doses of conivaptan are diluted prior to injection into a vein. Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional.

Before using Vaprisol, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits and laboratory tests should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of this drug as well as check for unwanted effects.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse within a few days.

Use of other drugs such as Clarithromycin (e.g., BiaxinВ®), Indinavir (e.g., CrixivanВ®), Itraconazole (e.g., SporanoxВ®), Ketoconazole (e.g., NizoralВ®), or Ritonavir (e.g., NorvirВ®) is contraindicated while taking this drug. 

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Vaprisol. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Consult with your healthcare professional immediately if you experience symptoms of:

• bleeding
• blistering
• burning
• coldness
• discoloration of the skin
• the feeling of pressure
• hives
• infection
• inflammation
• itching
• lumps
• numbness
• pain
• rash
• redness
• scarring
• soreness
• stinging
• swelling
• tenderness
• tingling
• ulceration
• warmth at the site
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
• blurred vision
• decreased urine
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• slow or fast heartbeat
• tingling of hands or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gains or loss
• abdominal pain
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bluish color changes in consciousness
• changes in skin color
• chest pain
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cool pale skin
• cough
• decreased urination
• depression
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dizziness
• faintness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• drowsiness
• fainting
• fear
• fever or chills
• flushed
• dry skin
• frequent urge to urinate
• fruit-like breath odor
• the increase in the amount of urine
• the increase in heart rate
• increased hunger
• increased urination
• loss of consciousness
• lower back or side pain
• mental changes
• muscle spasms or twitching
• nightmares
• pale skin
• problems in urination
• rapid breathing
• shakiness
• sleeplessness
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• sore mouth or tongue
• sore throat
• sunken eyes
• sweating
• swelling of foot or leg
• tenderness
• thirst
• tightness in the chest
• trembling
• trouble sleeping
• trouble breathing with exertion
• unable to sleep
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• wheezing
• white patches in the mouth and/or on the tongue
• wrinkled skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.