Approved & therapeutic
Terlipressin
Terlivaz
Terlipressin is a synthetic vasopressin analogue and prodrug, approved in the US in 2022 to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome with rapid reduction in kidney function. It is a hospital drug given by intravenous injection.
Also known as: Glypressin, Triglycyl lysine vasopressin
- Status
- Terlipressin is approved by the U.S. FDA and has official prescribing information.
- Evidence
- Approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people.
- Half-life
- Approximately 0.9 hours for terlipressin itself; the active metabolite lysine-vasopressin persists longer.
- How it's taken
- Intravenous bolus injection in an inpatient setting
- Mechanism
- Other
- Pathways
- Vasopressin
How Terlipressin works
Terlipressin is slowly converted to lysine-vasopressin, giving a sustained V1 receptor effect from intermittent dosing. V1 agonism constricts the splanchnic circulation, reducing portal inflow and raising effective arterial blood volume, which improves renal perfusion in hepatorenal syndrome — a condition driven by splanchnic vasodilation rather than by intrinsic kidney disease.
What research has looked at
- Approval was based on improvement in a verified reversal of hepatorenal syndrome endpoint compared with placebo.
- The prodrug design gives a longer duration of V1 effect than vasopressin, permitting intermittent bolus dosing rather than continuous infusion.
- It had been used in Europe for hepatorenal syndrome and variceal bleeding for many years before US approval.
Evidence level: Approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Boxed warning for serious or fatal respiratory failure. The label directs against use in patients with hypoxia or worsening respiratory symptoms, and requires oxygen saturation monitoring.
- It should not be used in patients with ACLF grade 3 or a high MELD score, where the risk-benefit balance was unfavourable in trials.
- Ischaemic events reflecting its vasoconstrictor mechanism: skin, digital, intestinal and myocardial ischaemia have been reported.
- Fluid overload, which can worsen the respiratory risk.
- Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and bradycardia.
Sources
- FDA approved-drug listing for terlipressin · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- DailyMed prescribing information for terlipressin · NIH · DailyMed
- PubMed research on terlipressin hepatorenal syndrome · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for terlipressin · DrugBank
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Related compounds
Terlipressin FAQ
What is Terlipressin?
Terlipressin is a synthetic vasopressin analogue and prodrug, approved in the US in 2022 to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome with rapid reduction in kidney function. It is a hospital drug given by intravenous injection.
How does Terlipressin work?
Terlipressin is slowly converted to lysine-vasopressin, giving a sustained V1 receptor effect from intermittent dosing. V1 agonism constricts the splanchnic circulation, reducing portal inflow and raising effective arterial blood volume, which improves renal perfusion in hepatorenal syndrome — a condition driven by splanchnic vasodilation rather than by intrinsic kidney disease.
Is Terlipressin FDA approved?
Yes. Terlipressin is approved by the U.S. FDA and has official prescribing information. Evidence level: approved labeling. Official prescribing information exists, based on clinical trials in people.
What is the half-life of Terlipressin?
Reported half-life: Approximately 0.9 hours for terlipressin itself; the active metabolite lysine-vasopressin persists longer.
How is Terlipressin taken?
Intravenous bolus injection in an inpatient setting.
What side effects have been reported with Terlipressin?
Reported in the sources: Boxed warning for serious or fatal respiratory failure. The label directs against use in patients with hypoxia or worsening respiratory symptoms, and requires oxygen saturation monitoring; It should not be used in patients with ACLF grade 3 or a high MELD score, where the risk-benefit balance was unfavourable in trials; Ischaemic events reflecting its vasoconstrictor mechanism: skin, digital, intestinal and myocardial ischaemia have been reported; Fluid overload, which can worsen the respiratory risk; Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and bradycardia.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.