Drug news
NICE recommends Samsca (tolvaptan) for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease- Otsuka
NICE recommends Samsca (tolvaptan), from Otsuka, be made available for treating autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in adults with stage 2 or 3 chronic kidney disease at the start of treatment and with evidence of rapidly progressing disease.
Tolvaptan (marketed as Jinarc by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals) is a treatment option for slowing the progression of cyst development and helping protect renal function. The guidance also stipulates that tolvaptan can only be prescribed if the company provides the drug at a pre-agreed discounted rate.
omment: There are no alternative treatments: Samsca is the first drug treatment in the world to slow the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.