Samsca

symptomatic euvolemic Hyponatremia, symptomatic hypervolemic Hyponatremia, Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

11 Active Studies for Samsca

What is Samsca

Tolvaptan

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Tolvaptan is a prescription drug used to treat low levels of sodium in the blood (hyponatremia), which can be caused by certain diseases like congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone). It was approved by the FDA in 2009.

Samsca

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Samsca Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Samsca

Tolvaptan

2009

20

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Tolvaptan, also called Samsca, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses including Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) and symptomatic euvolemic Hyponatremia .

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)

Helps manage Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)

symptomatic euvolemic Hyponatremia

symptomatic hypervolemic Hyponatremia

Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant

Helps manage Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)

Effectiveness

How Samsca Affects Patients

Taking tolvaptan increases how much urine is produced and how much fluids are taken in, which can lead to dehydration. This drug is known to increase sodium and osmolality levels in the body 4-8 hours after taking it, with increased doses leading to higher levels. Urine osmolality decreases and the body's ability to clear out free water increases 4 hours after taking tolvaptan. This drug is highly selective for V2 receptors, and has very little affinity for V1a receptors.

How Samsca works in the body

Tolvaptan is a medication that blocks the action of a hormone called vasopressin. When this hormone is blocked, the body is unable to absorb as much water. This increases the amount of urine produced and decreases the concentration of salts in the bloodstream, which can be beneficial for people with heart failure.

When to interrupt dosage

The dosage of Samsca is contingent upon the identified condition, such as symptomatic hypervolemic Hyponatremia, symptomatic euvolemic Hyponatremia and Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant. The measure fluctuates based on the outlined method of administration in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant

, 15.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, 120.0 mg, 45.0 mg, 7.5 mg

Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, Oral

symptomatic euvolemic Hyponatremia

, 15.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, 120.0 mg, 45.0 mg, 7.5 mg

Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, Oral

symptomatic hypervolemic Hyponatremia

, 15.0 mg, 30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, 120.0 mg, 45.0 mg, 7.5 mg

Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, Oral

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Samsca.

Common Samsca Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Desmopressin

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Desmopressin can be decreased when used in combination with Tolvaptan.

Agmatine

Minor

The risk or severity of hyperkalemia can be increased when Tolvaptan is combined with Agmatine.

Aliskiren

Minor

The risk or severity of hyperkalemia can be increased when Tolvaptan is combined with Aliskiren.

Alminoprofen

Minor

The risk or severity of hyperkalemia can be increased when Tolvaptan is combined with Alminoprofen.

Anisodamine

Minor

The risk or severity of hyperkalemia can be increased when Tolvaptan is combined with Anisodamine.

Samsca Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The toxic dosage of tolvaptan has been found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg in rats and dogs. Common side effects may include an increase in thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, constipation, frequent urination, and elevated blood sugar levels.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Samsca Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Samsca?

An examination of 6 active studies is currently underway to assess the potential of Samsca in providing symptomatic relief for Euvolemic Hyponatremia, Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease and Symptomatic Hypervolemic Hyponatremia.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant

11 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1

symptomatic hypervolemic Hyponatremia

0 Actively Recruiting

symptomatic euvolemic Hyponatremia

0 Actively Recruiting

Samsca Reviews: What are patients saying about Samsca?

5

Patient Review

9/15/2019

Samsca for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion

I've been using this drug for years now, and it's the only way I can keep my sodium levels in check. It's very expensive, costing me $250 a month, but it's worth it to me.

5

Patient Review

10/18/2012

Samsca for Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood

The cost of this medication is unfortunately out of reach for me.

2.3

Patient Review

6/26/2013

Samsca for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion

This drug caused my serum sodium to skyrocket, leading to mobility problems and hallucinations. My speech also sounded like I was having a stroke. Thankfully, this didn't kill me but it was awful to experience. I wouldn't recommend this if there are other options available.

2.3

Patient Review

12/27/2010

Samsca for Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood

My husband passed away 26 hours after taking Samsca, which was supposed to help with his fluid levels and heart failure. We had reported this adverse reaction to the FDA.

2

Patient Review

5/3/2010

Samsca for Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood

2

Patient Review

7/12/2010

Samsca for Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about samsca

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is Samsca used for?

"Tolvaptan is used to treat low blood sodium levels in people who have heart failure or SIADH."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of Samsca?

"The following are potential side effects of the medication: thirst, dry mouth, loss of appetite, constipation, or weakness. Dehydration is also a possible side effect. People with cirrhosis have an increased risk of bleeding from the stomach or intestines while taking this medication. In very rare cases, the medication may cause serious liver disease, which could be fatal."

Answered by AI

How long does it take for Samsca to work?

"The effect of the drug begins 2-4 hours after taking it, peaking 4-8 hours after. Taking the drug with food does not seem to affect how well the body absorbs it or how long the effect lasts."

Answered by AI

What is tolvaptan used for?

"Tolvaptan is a medication used to treat low sodium levels in the blood in patients with heart failure or SIADH, as well as to slow kidney function decline in adults at risk of rapidly progressing ADPKD."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Samsca

Image of University of Maryland, Baltimore in Baltimore, United States.

Bempedoic Acid for Polycystic Kidney Disease

18 - 60
All Sexes
Baltimore, MD

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most commonly inherited kidney disease, is characterized by the development of cysts in the kidney that impair function. Of those affected, half will progress to end-stage kidney disease by age 60, requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. To date, no effective and safe therapies exist for this deadly disease. Tolvaptan (Tol), the only FDA-approved drug for treatment of ADPKD, has some benefit in slowing kidney disease progression, but Tol causes frequent urination and thirst and also injures the liver in a small number of patients. The investigators' goal, therefore, is to develop new strategies to treat ADPKD that are safe and tolerable. The development of cysts in ADPKD patients results from two main cellular processes. The first is cell growth with an increase in the number of kidney cells that make up the outer surface of the cyst. The second is an increase in fluid secretion into the cysts that develop. The investigators have shown that an enzyme, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), when activated can inhibit both of those processes. Moreover, genetic mutations that cause ADPKD may alter the energy metabolism of the cell, which in turn inhibits AMPK activity. Bempedoic acid (BA), a medication that is FDA-approved for the treatment of individuals with high cholesterol and has a good safety record, activates AMPK. In addition to activating AMPK, BA inhibits a second enzyme called ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), which is involved in cholesterol synthesis. ACLY has received growing attention as a novel target for cancer treatment. ACLY inhibition blocks increases of cell numbers by inhibiting the lipid synthesis that is required for creation of new cell membranes. This study will test whether targeting these pathways through treatment with BA will help reverse dysfunctional metabolism in individuals with ADPKD and slow disease progression. The investigators will test this using a phase 2 clinical trial in which 120 individuals with rapidly progressive ADPKD and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 35 or greater will be treated with either BA or placebo (inactive look-alike pill) for two years. Participants on or off a stable dose of Tol will be included in the study. Participants will be recruited from the U. of Vermont, U. of Maryland, and Tufts University, which have active PKD clinics and are recognized by the PKD Foundation as Centers of Excellence. Through follow-up visits and lab work, the investigators will assess the safety and tolerability of BA in the participants as the primary outcomes. The secondary goals are to assess preliminary efficacy and effects of BA on quality of life in study participants. The growth of cysts results in increased volume or size of the kidneys and liver. Total and cyst volumes of the kidney and liver and visceral abdominal fat content via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be measured to gauge the effectiveness of this drug. The investigators also predict that proteins and small molecules involved in regulating cell energy metabolism, inflammation, and injury, as well as proteins directly involved in AMPK and ACLY function, will be altered in ADPKD patients. Levels of these proteins and small molecules may then subsequently change with BA therapy. Exploratory, mechanistic goals of this study are to identify prognostic and predictive urinary biomarkers in study participants. Successful completion of this study would have a significant impact on individuals with ADPKD by laying the groundwork for a new treatment strategy as well as by providing a new way to help guide treatment decisions. In summary, the goals of this phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial are to test the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the drug bempedoic acid, FDA-approved to lower cholesterol, when used in ADPKD patients.

Phase 2
Waitlist Available

University of Maryland, Baltimore (+2 Sites)

Dana Miskulin, MD

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Image of Academic Medical Research Institute - Los Angeles /ID# 270502 in Los Angeles, United States.

ABBV-CLS-628 for Polycystic Kidney Disease

18 - 55
All Sexes
Los Angeles, CA

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic cause of kidney disease that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of ABBV-CLS-628 for the treatment of ADPKD in adult participants. ABBV-CLS-628 is an investigational drug being developed for the treatment of ADPKD. Participants are placed in 1 of 4 groups, called treatment arms. Each group receives a different treatment. There is a 1 in 4 chance that participants will be assigned to placebo. Around 240 adult participants with ADPKD will be enrolled at approximately 100 sites worldwide. Participants will receive IntraVenous ABBV-CLS-628 or placebo every 4 weeks for 92 weeks. Participants will be followed for up to 15 weeks. There may be higher treatment burden for participants in this trial compared to their standard of care . Participants will attend regular visits during the study at a hospital or clinic. The effect of the treatment will be checked by medical assessments, blood tests, checking for side effects and completing questionnaires.

Phase 2
Recruiting

Academic Medical Research Institute - Los Angeles /ID# 270502 (+27 Sites)

ABBVIE INC.

AbbVie

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