What Is Vaprisol?

Vaprisol is a medicine given in a vein (intravenous or I.V.) to raise low blood sodium levels in hospitalized patients with “euvolemic hyponatremia.” Euvolemic hyponatremia is when a patient has too little sodium in the bloodstream but a normal amount of fluid in the body.

Vaprisol should not be used to treat congestive heart failure.

Vaprisol has not been studied in children.

Who Should Not Be Treated With Vaprisol?

You should not be treated with Vaprisol if you:

• Have too little sodium in the bloodstream and too little fluid in the body (hypovolemic hyponatremia)
• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• are taking medicines that can interact with Vaprisol, such as:
  • statin medicines, including:
    • simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin)
    • lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor, Advicor, Altoprev)
    • atorvastatin (Lipitor)
    • rosuvastatin (Crestor)
    • ketoconazole (Nizoral)
    • itraconazole (Sporanox)
    • clarithromycin (Biaxin)
    • ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra)
    • indinavir (Crixivan)

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare professional.

What Are The Risks?

The following are the major potential risks and side effects of Vaprisol therapy. This is not a complete list.

• There may be serious side effects if your blood sodium levels rise too quickly. Your healthcare professional will monitor your blood sodium levels and check for brain side effects.
• Injection site reactions are the most common side effect of Vaprisol. Serious injection site reactions may require stopping Vaprisol.
• Some other common side effects that may occur with Vaprisol include:
  • headache
  • thirst
  • low potassium
  • vomiting
  • increased urination
  • diarrhea
  • decrease in blood pressure upon standing that may cause faintness

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Professional?

Before you are given Vaprisol, tell your healthcare professional if you:

• have congestive heart failure
• have or had liver problems
• have or had kidney problems
• are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant
• are breast-feeding

How Is Vaprisol Given?

Vaprisol is given through a large vein (I.V.) for up to four days.

Date Approved: 12/29/05

Date Reviewed

Date Updated: 2/15/2006