Astellas Launches Vaprisol(R) (Conivaptan Hydrochloride Injection) Premixed in 5% Dextrose for the Treatment of Hy...( Arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor a...),Health

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor antagonist now available in new premixed formulation

DEERFIELD, Ill., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma US, Inc. today announced the commercial availability of Vaprisol(R) (conivaptan hydrochloride injection) Premixed in 5% Dextrose, a new premixed formulation. Discovered and developed by Astellas, Vaprisol, an arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor antagonist, is the first and only approved drug indicated for the treatment of both euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia in hospitalized patients.(1) Hyponatremia is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's blood sodium level falls significantly below normal.(2) Vaprisol Premixed was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2008.

The 100mL, single-use premixed formulation of Vaprisol comes in a plastic INTRAVIA(R) Container, a product of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, containing 20mg of conivaptan hydrochloride in 5% dextrose solution. Lactic acid, USP is added for pH adjustment to pH 3.4 to 3.8. The new formulation will make preparation easier for health care providers, as it requires no measuring or mixing.(1) Additionally, it has an expiration date of 24 months, six months longer than the original ampule formulation.(3)

"It is imperative to promptly address hyponatremia in emergency and hospital settings," said Dr. Joseph Verbalis, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Physiology at Georgetown University. "Vaprisol Premixed in 5% Dextrose is a convenient option for quickly preparing treatment for hyponatremia patients."

Hyponatremia is present in approximately 28 percent of patients upon admission into acute hospital care, and another 14 percent acquire the condition while in acute care.(4) Severe cases are medical emergencies that can result in swelling of the brain, respiratory arrest, catastrophic brain damage and de
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