Conivaptan

Generic name: Conivaptan
Brand names: Vaprisol
Dosage form: intravenous solution (20 mg/100 mL-D5%)
Drug class: Vasopressin antagonists

Usage of Conivaptan

Conivaptan reduces the level of a hormone that regulates the balance of water and salt (sodium) in the body. High levels of this hormone can cause an imbalance that results in low sodium levels and fluid retention.

Conivaptan is used to treat hyponatremia (low sodium levels). Conivaptan improves urine flow without causing the body to lose too much sodium as you urinate.

Conivaptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Conivaptan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or

signs of a rapid increase in sodium levels--trouble speaking, trouble swallowing, weakness, mood changes, muscle spasm or weakness in your arms and legs, seizure.

Common side effects of conivaptan may include:

fever;

low potassium;

headache, mild dizziness; or

pain, redness, or swelling around the IV needle.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Conivaptan

You should not receive conivaptan if you are allergic to corn products, or if you are unable to urinate.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with conivaptan. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

lomitapide;

medicine to treat depression or mental illness--nefazodone, lurasidone, pimozide;

an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;

antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole;

heart or blood pressure medicine--dronedarone, eplerenone, nimodipine, ranolazine;

HIV/AIDS medicine--atazanavir, cobicistat, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir;

medicine to treat hepatitis C--boceprevir, telaprevir; or

prostate medicine--alfuzosin, silodosin.

To make sure conivaptan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

congestive heart failure;

liver disease;

kidney disease;

alcoholism;

HIV or AIDS;

malnourishment; or

a condition for which you take digoxin (digitalis).

It is not known whether conivaptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in women.

It is not known whether conivaptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving conivaptan.

Relate drugs

How to use Conivaptan

Usual Adult Dose for Hyponatremia:

Initial dose: Loading dose of 20 mg IV once over 30 minutes; followed by 20 mg continuous IV infusion over 24 hours-Following initial day of treatment, administer 20 mg continuous IV infusion over 24 hours for an additional 1 to 3 days; may titrate to a maximum of 40 mg continuous IV infusion over 24 hours if serum sodium is not rising at the desired rateComments:-The total duration of infusion (after the loading dose) should not exceed 4 days.-Frequently monitor serum sodium and volume status during administration.Use: To raise serum sodium in hospitalized patients with euvolemic or hypervolemic hyponatremia

Usual Adult Dose for Hyponatremia, euvolemic:

Warnings

You should not receive conivaptan if you are allergic to corn products, or if you are unable to urinate.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

What other drugs will affect Conivaptan

Many drugs can interact with conivaptan, and some drugs should not be used together. You may need to wait at least 1 week after your last dose of conivaptan before you can begin taking certain other medicines. Ask your doctor about your specific treatment plan.

Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with conivaptan. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Disclaimer

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