Frederick Alan Rapoport, MD, clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, describes the mechanism and utility of Samsca (tolvaptan).

Samsca is a drug used for the treatment of dilutional hyponatremia, a common manifestation of many cancers, including small cell lung cancer.

Samsca is an intelligent drug, Rapoport says, that blocks the vasopressin receptor in the kidneys. By blocking this receptor, the dilute urine can be excreted rather than reabsorbed as fluid in the body, which causes hyponatremia.

Videos

Dr. Rapoport Describes Samsca's Mechanism of Action

Frederick Alan Rapoport, MD, clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, discusses hyponatremia in patients with cancer.

Hyponatremia is a common manifestation of many cancers, especially in small cell lung cancer. Rapoport says that head and neck cancer, ovarian cancers, and some hematologic malignancies can also present with hyponatremia.

In addition, hyponatremia is a complication of states that can be associated with malignancies, such as dehydration, nausea, vomiting, or pain. Rapoport says hyponatremia can also be associated with some cancer drugs.

Frederick Alan Rapoport, MD

Articles

Dr. Rapoport Describes Samsca's Mechanism of Action

Dr. Rapoport on Hyponatremia in Patients With Cancer