
samsca
Samsca (Tolvaptan) is a vasopressin v2 receptor antagonist used to treat Hyponatremia.
Tolvaptan · by Otsuka
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Tolvaptan
- Drug class
- Vasopressin V2 Receptor Antagonist
- Form
- Tablet
- Strength
- Tolvaptan 15MG · Tolvaptan 30MG · Tolvaptan 60MG **Federal Register Determination That Product was not Discontinued or Withdrawn for Safety or Effectiveness reasons**
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- hyponatremia
- Manufacturer
- Otsuka
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$586.88 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA022275
- FDA boxed warning
- Yes — see the boxed warning
What is Samsca?
From the FDA label:SAMSCA contains tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin V 2 -receptor antagonist in tablets for oral use available in 15 mg or 30 mg strengths. Tolvaptan is (±)-4'-[(7-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-1 H -1-benzazepin-1-yl) carbonyl]- o -tolu- m -toluidide. The empirical formula is C 26 H 25 ClN 2 O 3. Molecular weight is 448.94. The chemical structure is: Inactive ingredients include corn starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake as colorant. Chemical Structure
How to use
SAMSCA should be initiated and re-initiated in a hospital ( 2.1 ) The recommended starting dose is 15 mg once daily. Dosage may be increased at intervals ≥24 hr to 30 mg once daily, and to a maximum of 60 mg once daily as needed to raise serum sodium. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Patients should be in a hospital for initiation and re-initiation of therapy to evaluate the therapeutic response and because too rapid correction of hyponatremia can cause osmotic demyelination resulting in dysarthria, mutism, dysphagia, lethargy, affective changes, spastic quadriparesis, seizures, coma and death. The usual starting dose for SAMSCA is 15 mg administered once daily without regard to meals. Increase the dose to 30 mg once daily, after at least 24 hours, to a maximum of 60 mg once daily, as needed to achieve the desired level of serum sodium. Do not administer SAMSCA for more than 30 days to minimize the risk of liver injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. During initiation and titration, frequently monitor for changes in serum electrolytes and volume. Avoid fluid restriction during the first 24 hours of therapy. Patients receiving SAMSCA should be advised that they can continue ingestion of fluid in response to thirst [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. 2.2 Drug Withdrawal Following discontinuation from SAMSCA, patients should be advised to resume fluid restriction and…
Side effects
Most common adverse reactions (≥5% placebo) are thirst, dry mouth, asthenia, constipation, pollakiuria or polyuria, and hyperglycemia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Otsuka at 1-877-726-7220 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 ( www.fda.gov/medwatch ). 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse event information from clinical trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be related to drug use and for approximating rates. In multiple-dose, placebo-controlled trials, 607 hyponatremic patients (serum sodium <135 mEq/L) were treated with SAMSCA. The mean age of these patients was 62 years; 70% of patients were male and 82% were Caucasian. One hundred eighty-nine (189) tolvaptan-treated patients had a serum sodium <130 mEq/L, and 52 patients had a serum sodium <125 mEq/L. Hyponatremia was attributed to cirrhosis in 17% of patients, heart failure in 68% and SIADH/other in 16%. Of these patients, 223 were treated with the recommended dose titration (15 mg titrated to 60 mg as needed to raise serum sodium). Overall, over 4,000 patients have been treated with oral doses…
FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)
Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label
(A) INITIATE AND RE-INITIATE IN A HOSPITAL AND MONITOR SERUM SODIUM (B) NOT FOR USE FOR AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (ADPKD) WARNING: (A) INITIATE AND RE-INITIATE IN A HOSPITAL AND MONITOR SERUM SODIUM (B) NOT FOR USE FOR AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (ADPKD) See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. (A) Initiate and re-initiate in a hospital and monitor serum sodium SAMSCA should be initiated and re-initiated in patients only in a hospital where serum sodium can be monitored closely. Too rapid correction of hyponatremia (e.g., >12 mEq/L/24 hours) can cause osmotic demyelination resulting in dysarthria, mutism, dysphagia, lethargy, affective changes, spastic quadriparesis, seizures, coma and death. In susceptible patients, including those with severe malnutrition, alcoholism or advanced liver disease, slower rates of correction may be advisable. (B) Not for use for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) Because of the risk of hepatotoxicity, tolvaptan should not be used for ADPKD outside of the FDA-approved REMS (4) (A) Initiate and re-initiate in a hospital and monitor serum sodium SAMSCA should be initiated and re-initiated in patients only in a hospital where serum sodium can be monitored closely. Too rapid correction of hyponatremia (e.g., >12 mEq/L/24 hours) can cause osmotic demyelination resulting in dysarthria, mutism, dysphagia, lethargy, affective changes, spastic quadriparesis, seizures, coma and death. In susceptible patients, including those with severe malnutrition, alcoholism or advanced liver disease, slower rates of correction may be advisable. (B) Not for use for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) Because of the risk of hepatotoxicity, tolvaptan should not be used for ADPKD outside of the FDA-approved REMS [see Contraindications (4) ].
Warnings
Important safety information
Liver injury: Limit treatment duration to 30 days. If hepatic injury is suspected, discontinue SAMSCA. Avoid use in patients with underlying liver disease ( 5.2 ) Dehydration and hypovolemia may require intervention ( 5.3 ) Avoid use with hypertonic saline ( 5.4 ) Avoid use with moderate to strong CYP3A inhibitors ( 5.5 ) Monitor serum potassium in patients with potassium >5 mEq/L or on drugs known to increase potassium ( 5.6 ) Urinary outflow obstruction: Urinary output must be secured ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Too Rapid Correction of Serum Sodium Can Cause Serious Neurologic Sequelae Osmotic demyelination syndrome is a risk associated with too rapid correction of hyponatremia (e.g., >12 mEq/L/24 hours). Osmotic demyelination results in dysarthria, mutism, dysphagia, lethargy, affective changes, spastic quadriparesis, seizures, coma or death. In susceptible patients, including those with severe malnutrition, alcoholism or advanced liver disease, slower rates of correction may be advisable. In controlled clinical trials in which tolvaptan was administered in titrated doses starting at 15 mg once daily, 7% of tolvaptan-treated subjects with a serum sodium <130 mEq/L had an increase in serum sodium greater than 8 mEq/L at approximately 8 hours and 2% had an increase greater than 12 mEq/L at 24 hours. Approximately 1% of placebo-treated subjects with a serum sodium <130 mEq/L had a rise greater than 8 mEq/L at 8 hours and no patient had a rise greater than 12 mEq/L/24 hours. Osmotic demyelination syndrome has been reported in association with SAMSCA therapy [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. Patients treated with SAMSCA should be monitored to assess serum sodium concentrations and neurologic status, especially during initiation and after titration. Subjects with SIADH or very low baseline serum sodium concentrations may be at greater risk for too-rapid correction of serum sodium. In patients receiving SAMSCA who develop too rapid a rise in serum sodium, discontinue or interrupt treatment with SAMSCA and consider administration of hypotonic fluid. Fluid restriction during the first 24 hours of therapy with SAMSCA may increase the likelihood of overly rapid correction of serum sodium and should generally be avoided. Co-administration of diuretics also increases the risk of too rapid correction of serum sodium and such patients should undergo close monitoring of serum sodium. 5.2 Liver Injury Tolvaptan can cause serious and potentially fatal liver injury. In placebo-controlled studies and an open-label extension study of chronically administered tolvaptan in patients with ADPKD, cases of serious liver injury attributed to tolvaptan, generally occurring during the first 18 months of therapy, were observed. In postmarketing experience with tolvaptan in ADPKD, acute injury resulting in liver failure requiring liver transplantation has been reported. Tolvaptan should not be used to treat ADPKD outside of the FDA-approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for ADPKD patients [see Contraindications (4) ] . Patients with symptoms that may indicate liver injury, including fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine or jaundice should discontinue treatment with SAMSCA. Limit duration of therapy with SAMSCA to 30 days. Avoid use in patients with underlying liver disease, including cirrhosis, because the ability to recover from liver injury may be impaired [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 5.3 Dehydration and Hypovolemia SAMSCA therapy induces copious aquaresis, which is normally partially offset by fluid intake. Dehydration and hypovolemia can occur, especially in potentially volume-depleted patients receiving diuretics or those who are fluid restricted. In multiple-dose, placebo-controlled trials in which 607 hyponatremic patients were treated with tolvaptan, the incidence of dehydration was 3.3% for tolvaptan and 1.5% for placebo-treated patients. In patients receiving SAMSCA who develop medically significant signs or symptoms of hypovolemia, interrupt or discontinue SAMSCA therapy and provide supportive care with careful management of vital signs, fluid balance and electrolytes. Fluid restriction during therapy with SAMSCA may increase the risk of dehydration and hypovolemia. Patients receiving SAMSCA should continue ingestion of fluid in response to thirst. 5.4 Co-administration with Hypertonic Saline Concomitant use with hypertonic saline is not recommended. 5.5 Drug Interactions Tolvaptan is a substrate of CYP3A. Moderate to strong CYP3A inhibitors can lead to a marked increase in tolvaptan concentrations [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Do not use SAMSCA with strong inhibitors of CYP3A [see Contraindications (4) ] and avoid concomitant use with moderate CYP3A inhibitors. 5.6 Hyperkalemia or Drugs that Increase Serum Potassium Treatment with tolvaptan is associated with an acute reduction of the extracellular fluid volume which could result in increased serum potassium. Serum potassium levels should be monitored after initiation of tolvaptan treatment in patients with a serum potassium >5 mEq/L as well as those who are receiving drugs known to increase serum potassium levels. 5.7 Acute Urinary Retention with Outflow Obstruction Patients with partial obstruction of urinary outflow, for example, patients with prostatic hypertrophy or impairment of micturition, have an increased risk of developing acute retention. Do not administer tolvaptan in patients with uncorrected urinary outflow obstruction.
Who should not take Samsca
SAMSCA is contraindicated in the following conditions: Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) outside of FDA-approved REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Unable to sense or respond to thirst Hypovolemic hyponatremia Taking strong CYP3A inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Anuria Hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic shock, rash generalized) to tolvaptan or any components of the product [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] Use in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) outside of FDA-approved REMS ( 4 ) Patients who are unable to respond appropriately to thirst ( 4 ) Hypovolemic hyponatremia ( 4 ) Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors ( 4 ) Anuria ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Single oral doses up to 480 mg (8 times the maximum recommended daily dose) and multiple doses up to 300 mg once daily for 5 days have been well tolerated in studies in healthy subjects. There is no specific antidote for tolvaptan intoxication. The signs and symptoms of an acute overdose can be anticipated to be those of excessive pharmacologic effect: a rise in serum sodium concentration, polyuria, thirst, and dehydration/hypovolemia. No mortality was observed in rats or dogs following single oral doses of 2000 mg/kg (maximum feasible dose). A single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg was lethal in mice, and symptoms of toxicity in affected mice included decreased locomotor activity, staggering gait, tremor and hypothermia. In patients with suspected SAMSCA overdosage, assessment of vital signs, electrolyte concentrations, ECG and fluid status are recommended. Continue replacement of water and electrolytes until aquaresis abates. Dialysis may not be effective in removing tolvaptan because of its high binding affinity for human plasma protein (>98%).
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Avoid concomitant use with: Moderate CYP3A inhibitors ( 7.1 ) Strong CYP3A inducers ( 7.1 ) V 2 -receptor antagonists ( 7.3 ) Monitor serum potassium during concomitant therapy with ( 7.2 ): Angiotensin receptor blockers Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors Potassium sparing diuretics 7.1 CYP3A Inhibitors and Inducers Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Tolvaptan's AUC was 5.4 times as large and C max was 3.5 times as large after co-administration of tolvaptan and 200 mg ketoconazole [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Larger doses of the strong CYP3A inhibitor would be expected to produce larger increases in tolvaptan exposure. Concomitant use of tolvaptan with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors A substantial increase in the exposure to tolvaptan would be expected when SAMSCA is co-administered with moderate CYP3A inhibitors. Avoid co-administration of SAMSCA with moderate CYP3A inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Patients should avoid grapefruit juice beverages while taking SAMSCA [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Strong CYP3A Inducers Co-administration of SAMSCA with strong CYP3A inducers reduces exposure to SAMSCA [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Avoid concomitant use of SAMSCA with strong CYP3A inducers. 7.2 Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Potassium Sparing Diuretics Although specific interaction studies were not performed, in clinical studies, tolvaptan was used concomitantly with beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and potassium sparing diuretics. Adverse reactions of hyperkalemia were approximately 1 to 2% higher when tolvaptan was administered with angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and potassium sparing diuretics compared to administration of these medications with placebo. Serum potassium levels should be monitored during concomitant drug therapy. 7.3 V 2 -Receptor Agonist As a V 2 -receptor antagonist, tolvaptan may interfere with the V 2 -agonist activity of desmopressin (dDAVP). Avoid concomitant use of SAMSCA with a V 2 -agonist.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
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Dosage forms
Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Samsca treat?
- Samsca (Tolvaptan) may be used to treat hyponatremia, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How much does Samsca cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $586.88 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Samsca?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Samsca. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Samsca?
- Samsca is marketed by Otsuka. You can see Otsuka's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Samsca a brand-name or generic drug?
- Samsca is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Tolvaptan.
- Is Samsca available over the counter?
- No. Samsca is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Samsca come in?
- Samsca is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Samsca?
- Samsca is classified as vasopressin v2 receptor antagonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Samsca FDA-registered?
- Samsca is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA022275. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Samsca safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Samsca. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Samsca?
- Samsca's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Most common adverse reactions (≥5% placebo) are thirst, dry mouth, asthenia, constipation, pollakiuria or polyuria, and hyperglycemia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Otsuka at 1-877-726-7220 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 ( www.fda.gov/medwatch ).… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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