Vasopressin receptor antagonists (vaptans)
- Block vasopressin receptors
- V2 blockade causes free-water excretion
- Tolvaptan: hyponatremia + ADPKD roles
- Conivaptan also blocks V1a
- Over-rapid sodium correction is dangerous
- Thirst/polyuria are expected effects
Class at a glance
- Block vasopressin receptors
Members / distinctions
- Tolvaptan: hyponatremia + ADPKD roles
Pharmacology
- V2 blockade causes free-water excretion
- Conivaptan also blocks V1a
Practical pearls
- Thirst/polyuria are expected effects
Other practical pearls
- Over-rapid sodium correction is dangerous
Self-check
- What does V2 receptor blockade cause?
Free-water excretion. - What correction-related hazard occurs with vaptans?
Over-rapid sodium correction.
Drugs in this class (2)
Vasopressin receptor antagonists (vaptans) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Diuretics (1953–2026). Aquaretics highlighted from 2009.
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