Panel Nixes Tolvaptan On Weak Efficacy Data And Liver Risks

Small, unclear drug effect and hepatotoxicity take down Otsuka’s tolvaptan kidney disease indication at Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee review.

FDA advisors voted 9-6 against approval of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s tolvaptan to slow kidney disease citing the sponsor’s failure to demonstrate a robust drug effect, a flaw that could not be overlooked when balanced with tolvaptan’s high risk of drug-induced liver injury.

“I felt the benefit was real but very small, the risk was real but large and in balance I felt...

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