TOLVAPTAN: AN INVESTIGATIONAL DRUG TO TREAT ACUTE AND CHRONIC HYPNONATREMIA: A newer investigational drug, Tolvaptan, a vassopressin
V2-receptor antagonist, has been shown to treat water intoxication, in acute and chronic hyponatremia faster, and more effectively, than other treatments. It works, without significant side effects, according to the results of two large studies presented at the American Heart Association’s November 2006 sessions, by Mihai Gheorghiade, M.D., a cardiologist and professor of medicine at USA’s Northwestern University. The easy-to-administer oral drug, developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, begins to normalize serum sodium within hours. The normalization is sustained during long-term therapy. The two studies were be published in the November 16, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Read full article at link below.