A therapeutic agent for sepsis and various symptoms accompanying sepsis (such as septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction) is disclosed. The therapeutic agent for sepsis according to the present invention comprises as an effective ingredient an opioid κ receptor agonist compound such as (−)-17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6β[N-methyl-trans-3-(3-furyl)acrylamide] oxide derivative. The opioid κ receptor agonist compound may be administered as it is or in the form of a pharmaceutical composition prepared by mixing the compound with a known pharmaceutically acceptable acid, carrier or vehicle orally or parenterally.