conivaptan

Conivaptan is a non-peptide, small molecule antagonist of arginine vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone, AVP) V1A and V2 receptors. It is primarily used in hospitalized patients to treat euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia—conditions characterized by low blood sodium levels with normal or increased body fluid volume. By blocking both the vasopressin V1A receptor and vasopressin V2 receptor, conivaptan promotes aquaresis (excretion of free water without significant loss of sodium or potassium), thereby increasing serum sodium concentrations. Its main mechanism involves antagonism at the renal collecting ducts' vasopressin V2 receptors, leading to increased urine output and decreased urine osmolality. Conivaptan was approved in 2004 for this indication. Developed by Astellas Pharma and manufactured by Astellas Pharma.

Brand names

Vaprisol

Other names

conivaptan hydrochloride