CONTROLLED TRIAL OF TERLIPRESSIN ('GLYPRESSIN') VERSUS VASOPRESSIN IN THE EARLY TREATMENT OF OESOPHAGEAL VARICES

Abstract

In a randomised controlled trial the effect of intermittent bolus injection of triglycyl lysine vasopressin (terlipressin, 'Glypressin') (2 mg 6-hourly), an analogue of vasopressin, was compared with that of a constant peripheral intravenous infusion of vasopressin (0.4 units/min) in the initial management of bleeding oesophageal varices in nineteen patients. Failure of vasopressin therapy was defined as continued bleeding of sufficient severity to necessitate the passage of a Sengstaken tube. Bleeding was controlled in 70% of patients treated with glypressin but in only 9% of patients given vasopressin. The glypressin group required significantly less blood after randomisation than the vasopressin group. Because of its efficacy, lack of side-effects, and ease of administration, glypressin appears to be valuable in the management of bleeding varices.