This is a new guideline from NICE advising that tolvaptan can be used for treating autosomal polycystic kidney disease. It is a selective vasopressin antagonist which can reduce cell proliferation, cyst formation and fluid excretion. This reduces kidney growth and protects renal function.
Patients need to have:
- CKD 2 or 3
- Rapidly progressing disease
It has several side-effects, including polyuria, nocturia and frequency of urination. It can also be hepatotoxic and can elevate liver function tests.
