Sivelestat

Sivelestat

Sivelestat (also known as ONO-5046) is a selective inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. It is primarily used in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to prevent postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Pharmacology

Sivelestat works by inhibiting the activity of neutrophil elastase, an enzyme that is released by neutrophil granulocytes during inflammation and can cause tissue damage. By inhibiting this enzyme, sivelestat can reduce inflammation and prevent damage to the lungs and other tissues.

Clinical Use

Sivelestat is primarily used in the treatment of ARDS, a severe form of lung injury that can occur in critically ill patients. It has been shown to improve oxygenation and reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in these patients. In addition, sivelestat is used to prevent postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, as these patients are at risk of developing lung injury due to the inflammatory response triggered by the surgery.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of sivelestat include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less common side effects include abnormal liver function tests, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.

History

Sivelestat was first developed by Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Japan and was approved for use in this country in 2002. Since then, it has been approved for use in several other countries, including South Korea and China.

See Also

• Neutrophil elastase
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Cardiopulmonary bypass