Two single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequentially enrolled studies were conducted. In study 1, 8 subjects (6 active/2 placebo) received 60-, 90-, 120-, 180-, or 240-mg tolvaptan/matching placebo. In study 2, 9 subjects (6 active/3 placebo) received 180-, 240-, 300-, 360-, 420-, or 480-mg tolvaptan/matching placebo. Increases in tolvaptan C(max) were less than dose-proportional and plateaued at doses greater than 240 mg; AUC(infinity) increased proportionally with dose. Changes in serum K(+), creatinine clearance, and Na(+), K(+), and osmolality urinary excretion were similar to the placebo group for the 0- to 24-hour interval following dosing. Changes were observed in plasma arginine vasopressin, serum aldosterone, and plasma renin activity but were not clinically significant. Increases were seen in mean serum Na(+) concentrations (4-6 mEq/L), plasma osmolality ( approximately 8 mOsm/kg), and free water clearance ( approximately 6 mL/min) throughout 0 to 24 hours; none of these increases was dose dependent. Only total urine volume excretion (0-72 hours postdose) increased linearly with dose. As plasma tolvaptan concentrations increased, the duration that the urine excretion rate remained above baseline rates also increased. The most frequent adverse events--excess thirst, frequent urination, and dry mouth--appeared to be related to the pharmacological action of tolvaptan. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed.