2.1 Preparation of Diluted Solutions

Dilute Vasostrict ® in normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W) prior to use for intravenous administration. Discard unused diluted solution after 18 hours at room temperature or 24 hours under refrigeration.

Inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to use, whenever solution and container permit.

2.2 Administration

The goal of treatment is optimization of perfusion to critical organs, but aggressive treatment can compromise perfusion of organs, like the gastrointestinal tract, whose function is difficult to monitor. The following advice is empirical. In general, titrate to the lowest dose compatible with a clinically acceptable response.

For post-cardiotomy shock, start with a dose of 0.03 units/minute. For septic shock, start with a dose of 0.01 units/minute. If the target blood pressure response is not achieved, titrate up by 0.005 units/minute at 10- to 15-minute intervals. The maximum dose for post-cardiotomy shock is 0.1 units/minute and for septic shock 0.07 units/minute. After target blood pressure has been maintained for 8 hours without the use of catecholamines, taper Vasostrict ® by 0.005 units/minute every hour as tolerated to maintain target blood pressure.

5.1 Worsening Cardiac Function

Use in patients with impaired cardiac response may worsen cardiac output.

7.1 Catecholamines

Use with catecholamines is expected to result in an additive effect on mean arterial blood pressure and other hemodynamic parameters.

7.2 Indomethacin

Use with indomethacin may prolong the effect of Vasostrict ® on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.3 Ganglionic Blocking Agents

Use with ganglionic blocking agents may increase the effect of Vasostrict ® on mean arterial blood pressure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.4 Furosemide

Use with furosemide increases the effect of Vasostrict ® on osmolar clearance and urine flow [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

7.5 Drugs Suspected of Causing SIADH

Use with drugs suspected of causing SIADH (e.g., SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, chlorpropamide, enalapril, methyldopa, pentamidine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, felbamate) may increase the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasostrict ®.

7.6 Drugs Suspected of Causing Diabetes Insipidus

Use with drugs suspected of causing diabetes insipidus (e.g., demeclocycline, lithium, foscarnet, clozapine) may decrease the pressor effect in addition to the antidiuretic effect of Vasostrict ®.

8.1 Pregnancy

8.3 Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether vasopressin is present in human milk. However, oral absorption by a nursing infant is unlikely because vasopressin is rapidly destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract. Consider advising a lactating woman to pump and discard breast milk for 1.5 hours after receiving vasopressin to minimize potential exposure to the breastfed infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of Vasostrict ® in pediatric patients with vasodilatory shock have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of vasopressin did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5), Adverse Reactions (6), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .

12.1 Mechanism of Action

The vasoconstrictive effects of vasopressin are mediated by vascular V 1 receptors. Vascular V 1 receptors are directly coupled to phopholipase C, resulting in release of calcium, leading to vasoconstriction. In addition, vasopressin stimulates antidiuresis via stimulation of V 2 receptors which are coupled to adenyl cyclase.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

At therapeutic doses exogenous vasopressin elicits a vasoconstrictive effect in most vascular beds including the splanchnic, renal and cutaneous circulation. In addition, vasopressin at pressor doses triggers contractions of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract mediated by muscular V 1-receptors and release of prolactin and ACTH via V 3 receptors. At lower concentrations typical for the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin inhibits water diuresis via renal V 2 receptors.

In patients with vasodilatory shock vasopressin in therapeutic doses increases systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial blood pressure and reduces the dose requirements for norepinephrine. Vasopressin tends to decrease heart rate and cardiac output. The pressor effect is proportional to the infusion rate of exogenous vasopressin. Onset of the pressor effect of vasopressin is rapid, and the peak effect occurs within 15 minutes. After stopping the infusion the pressor effect fades within 20 minutes. There is no evidence for tachyphylaxis or tolerance to the pressor effect of vasopressin in patients.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

At infusion rates used in vasodilatory shock (0.01-0.1 units/minute) the clearance of vasopressin is 9 to 25 mL/min/kg in patients with vasodilatory shock. The apparent t 1/2 of vasopressin at these levels is ≤10 minutes. Vasopressin is predominantly metabolized and only about 6% of the dose is excreted unchanged in urine. Animal experiments suggest that the metabolism of vasopressin is primarily by liver and kidney. Serine protease, carboxipeptidase and disulfide oxido-reductase cleave vasopressin at sites relevant for the pharmacological activity of the hormone. Thus, the generated metabolites are not expected to retain important pharmacological activity.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No formal carcinogenicity or fertility studies with vasopressin have been conducted in animals. Vasopressin was found to be negative in the in vitro bacterial mutagenicity (Ames) test and the in vitro Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell chromosome aberration test. In mice, vasopressin has been reported to have an effect on function and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa.

Store between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F). Do not freeze.

Vials may be held up to 12 months upon removal from refrigeration to room temperature storage conditions (20°C to 25°C [68°F to 77°F], USP Controlled Room Temperature), anytime within the labeled shelf life. Once removed from refrigeration, unopened vial should be marked to indicate the revised 12 month expiration date. If the manufacturer’s original expiration date is shorter than the revised expiration date, then the shorter date must be used. Do not use Vasostrict ® beyond the manufacturer’s expiration date stamped on the vial.

After initial entry into the 10 mL vial, the remaining contents must be refrigerated. Discard the refrigerated 10 mL vial after 30 days after first puncture.

The storage conditions and expiration periods are summarized in the following table.