ReachMD XM 157 Announces Medical Information Feature on Treatment Options for Management of Hyponatremia

ReachMD XM 157 Announces Medical Information Feature on Treatment Options for Management of Hyponatremia

CHICAGO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- ReachMD XM 157 announces a new "Medical Industry Feature of the Week" highlighting a vasopressin receptor antagonist and its effects on management of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia in the hospital setting.

ReachMD XM 157, the first and only network for medical professionals, will air the program "AVP Antagonists: Turning the Tide Against Hyponatremia" four times a day October 27-31, November 10-14, and January 5-8. Healthcare professionals can tune in to XM Satellite Radio Channel 157 or listen OnDemand at http://www.reachmd.com/AVP1. Use promo code VaprisolPR to listen and to receive a free 6-month membership to ReachMD.com.

The program features interviews with Joseph Verbalis, MD, Professor of Medicine and Physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center and Scott Beegle, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Albany Medical College. Program host Lee Freedman, MD, Internal Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare: Evanston Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, and Glenbrook Hospital will interview Dr. Verbalis and Dr. Beegle. The topics include:

-- Hyponatremia incidence, causes, and consequences
-- Diagnostic algorithm and general treatment principles
-- AVP antagonists rationale for treatment
-- VAPRISOL(R) efficacy, safety and dosing information

"AVP Antagonists: Turning the Tide Against Hyponatremia" is sponsored by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. in support of VAPRISOL(R) (conivaptan hydrochloride injection), a nonpeptide dual AVP antagonist indicated for the treatment of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia in hospitalized patients.

Gary Epstein, CEO of ReachMD said, "We're excited to work with Astellas to broadcast this very special program. Our programming continues to diversify which helps all types of physicians gain the latest information about disorders and new approaches of treatment relevant to them."

About Vaprisol: Discovered and developed by Astellas Pharma Inc. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Vaprisol is a drug that blocks the activity of AVP, resulting in increased urine output without loss of valuable electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. This effect, known as "aquaresis," helps to increase serum sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia. Vaprisol is the first AVP receptor antagonist with a demonstrated safety profile and that effectively promotes aquaresis in order to help restore salt and water balance in patients with euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia.

Vaprisol is indicated for the treatment of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia in hospitalized patients. Vaprisol is not indicated for the treatment of congestive heart failure. It should only be used for the treatment of hyponatremia in patients with underlying heart failure when the expected benefit of raising serum sodium outweighs the increased risk of adverse events. Vaprisol is contraindicated in patients with hypovolemic hyponatremia. In addition, coadministration of Vaprisol with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritanovir, and indinavir, is contraindicated. Serum sodium, volume, and neurological status must be monitored frequently because Vaprisol potentially can cause overly rapid correction of sodium leading to serious sequelae. The use of Vaprisol in patients with hepatic impairment (including ascites, cirrhosis, or portal hypertension) or renal impairment has not been systematically evaluated. Use caution when administering Vaprisol to these patients. The most common adverse reactions reported were infusion site reactions (incidence of 73% and 63% for 20 mg/day and 40 mg/day respectively) which were also the most common type of adverse reaction leading to discontinuation of Vaprisol. Discontinuations from treatment due to infusion site reactions were more common among Vaprisol-treated patients (3%) than among placebo-treated patients (0%). Other common adverse reactions were headaches (8%, 10%), hypokalemia (22%, 10%), orthostatic hypotension (14%, 6%), and pyrexia (11%, 5%) for Vaprisol 20mg/day and 40mg/day, respectively. For more information about Vaprisol or full prescribing information, please visit http://www.vaprisol.com/.

About Astellas: Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois, is a US affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organization is committed to becoming a global pharmaceutical company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please visit http://www.astellas.com/us.

About ReachMD XM 157: A leading provider of advanced healthcare information and education for medical professionals, ReachMD provides the most up to date healthcare information in the field through satellite radio, mobile phone, and online programs. These convenient and accessible technologies deliver the latest information in best practices and new advances in treatment to healthcare professionals. For more information, visit http://www.reachmd.com/.

Source: ReachMD XM 157

CONTACT: Michelle Travis, Director of Groups, Events & Media,
+1-208-853-0324, Michelle@StinsonGEM.com, for ReachMD XM 157

Web site: http://www.reachmd.com/
http://www.vaprisol.com/

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