DEERFIELD, Ill., March 2 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Astellas Pharma said Friday it has been OK'd for U.S. marketing of Vaprisol to treat hypervolemic hyponatremia in hospital patients.
The company said its drug is the first to be specifically indicated to treat both the euvolemic and hypervolemic forms of hyponatremia, a potentially fatal disorder caused when the body's blood sodium level falls significantly below normal.
Vaprisol was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2005 for the euvolemic hyponatremia indication and was launched in the U.S. market last April.
Hyponatremia affects roughly 4 percent of U.S. hospital patients annually, and while it can be asymptomatic, severe cases are medical emergencies that can cause swelling of the brain, respiratory arrest and death, Astellas said.
