The U.S. FDA-approved Terlipressin for bleeding oesophageal varices and to improve kidney function on September 14, 2022. Terlipressin belongs to the medication class known as a vasopressin receptor agonist.

Terlipressin is used to treat bleeding from dilated veins in the food pipe that connects to the stomach, called bleeding oesophageal varices. It also improves kidney function in adults diagnosed with hepatorenal syndrome, a condition characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function. 

Terlipressin will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered in a vein (intravenous). Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Terlipressin are diarrhea, headache, high or low blood pressure, abdominal cramps, pale skin, insufficient blood circulation in arms and legs, and slow heart rate. Serious side effects while taking Terlipressin are severe shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent and severe irregular heartbeats, seizures, kidney problems, and locally dead skin (necrosis). 

Terlipressin should not be consumed if you are allergic to Terlipressin or any of its ingredients in the medication. Do not take this medicine if you have low oxygen levels (hypoxia), worsening respiratory symptoms, or reduced blood supply to the heart, limbs, or intestines. Before taking the medicine, inform your doctor if you have severe infection known as septic shock, bronchial asthma or other respiratory conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, previous heart attack (myocardial infarction), hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias). This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents.

Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Notify your doctor if you have poor blood circulation to the brain (stroke), impaired kidney function (renal insufficiency), disturbances in the level of salt (electrolytes), reduced amount of fluid, or blood loss.  Inform your doctor if you are above 70 age or on a low-salt diet, as this medicine contains sodium. 

Inform your doctor about all the underlying medical conditions. Do not stop the medicine until your doctor advises. Your doctor will continuously monitor your heart and blood circulation. Do not double-dose the medicine to make up for a forgotten dose. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects. Your medical professional will inform you if you need any dose adjustments. Contact your doctor for more information.

1. Flynn Pharma Ltd, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on May 2022] [Accessed on 28th June 2023], pil.9336.pdf (medicines.org.uk)
2. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, US Food, and Drug Administration; [Revised on September 2023] [Accessed on  28th June 2023], label (fda.gov) 
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Regulation of renal function and vascular volume, 12th edition, 2011, 712.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antidiuretic drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 596.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.