Samsca

Samsca

Generic Name: tolvaptan (tol VAP tan)

Brand Names: Samsca

What is Samsca?

Samsca reduces the level of a hormone that regulates the balance of water and salt (sodium) in the body. High levels of this hormone can cause an imbalance that results in low sodium levels and fluid retention.

Samsca is used to treat hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in your blood) in people with heart failure, liver disease, and certain hormonal imbalances. Samsca improves urine flow without causing the body to lose too much sodium as you urinate.

Samsca may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Samsca

You should not use Samsca if you are allergic to tolvaptan, if you are unable to urinate, if you are unable to tell that you are thirsty, or if you are severely dehydrated and feel like you might pass out.

You should not take Samsca if you are using certain other medications. Before you take Samsca, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Your doctor will tell you if any of your medications need to be changed while taking Samsca.

Also tell your doctor if you have severe liver disease or cirrhosis, if you have been drinking large amounts of alcohol, or if you are malnourished.

You will receive your first few doses of Samsca in a hospital setting where your heart rhythm can be monitored, in case the medication causes serious side effects. If you stop taking Samsca for any length of time, do not start taking it again at home. You will need to be in a hospital under observation any time you start or restart treatment with Samsca.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these signs that your hyponatremia is being reversed too quickly: problems with speech or muscle control, trouble swallowing, trouble moving your arms and legs, mood changes, and seizure (convulsions).

Drink plenty of fluids during the first 24 hours of treatment with Samsca. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while treating hyponatremia. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Samsca.

Before taking Samsca

You should not use Samsca if you are allergic to tolvaptan, if you are unable to urinate, if you are unable to tell that you are thirsty, or if you are severely dehydrated and feel like you might pass out.

You should not take Samsca if you are taking any of the following medications:

conivaptan (Vaprisol);

an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);

an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or

HIV/AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir).

Your doctor will tell you if any of your medications need to be changed while taking Samsca.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Samsca:

severe liver disease (especially cirrhosis);

if you are malnourished; or

if you have been drinking large amounts of alcohol.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Samsca is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether tolvaptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Samsca without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Samsca pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Samsca?

Take Samsca exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You will receive your first few doses of Samsca in a hospital setting where your heart rhythm can be monitored, in case the medication causes serious side effects.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Samsca is usually given once per day, with or without food.

Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Drink plenty of fluids during the first 24 hours of treatment with Samsca. It is best to drink something as soon as you feel thirsty, but avoid alcoholic drinks. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while treating hyponatremia. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough. Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to serious side effects.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Samsca.

If you stop taking Samsca for any length of time, do not start taking it again at home. You will need to be in a hospital under observation any time you start or restart treatment with Samsca.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose can cause dehydration (weakness, extreme thirst, increased urination, decreased sweating, hot or dry skin).

What should I avoid while taking Samsca?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Samsca and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Samsca.

Samsca side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Samsca: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these signs that your hyponatremia is being reversed too quickly: problems with speech or muscle control, trouble swallowing, trouble moving your arms and legs, mood changes, and seizure (convulsions).

Stop using Samsca and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

weakness or fainting;

black, bloody, or tarry stools;

coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

Less serious Samsca side effects may include:

dry mouth;

increased thirst or urination;

constipation; or

loss of appetite, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Samsca side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Samsca?

Many drugs can interact with Samsca. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

aprepitant (Emend);

birth control pills;

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);

rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin);

St. John's wort;

an antibiotic such as doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), metronidazole (Flagyl), norfloxacin (Noroxin), tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Sumycin),

an antidepressant such as desipramine (Norpramin) or sertraline (Zoloft);

a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton) and others;

a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);

heart or blood pressure medication such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and others;

HIV or AIDS medicine such as efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), nevirapine (Viramune), and others;

potassium supplements, potassium citrate (K-Lyte, Urocit-K, Citrolith, Polycitra), and others; or

seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others.

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Samsca. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

More Samsca resources

Samsca Side Effects (in More Detail)

Samsca Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Samsca Drug Interactions

Samsca Support Group

0 Reviews for Samsca - Add your own review/rating

Samsca Prescribing Information (FDA)

Samsca MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Samsca Monograph (AHFS DI)

Samsca Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Tolvaptan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Samsca with other medications

Euvolemic Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Samsca.