Diabetes Insipidus

1 medicine

Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of water regulation, unrelated to blood sugar, that causes extreme thirst and large volumes of dilute urine. It's usually treated with desmopressin, a synthetic form of the hormone the body is missing.

DDAVP

Desmopressin

200mcg

DDAVP is a hormones medication containing Desmopressin, available as 200mcg tablets.

from $1.95 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Diabetes insipidus has nothing to do with blood sugar. It's a disorder of fluid regulation in which the kidneys can't conserve water properly, causing very large volumes of pale, dilute urine and near-constant, intense thirst.
  • Most cases are central diabetes insipidus, where the brain produces too little antidiuretic hormone (ADH, also called vasopressin); a rarer form, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, happens when the kidneys don't respond to ADH at all.
  • Central diabetes insipidus is treated with desmopressin, a synthetic form of vasopressin that lets the kidneys concentrate urine normally again.
  • Left untreated, it can cause serious dehydration even when a person is drinking frequently. Seek prompt care for extreme thirst, very high urine output, or signs of dehydration.

What drives it

Most cases are central diabetes insipidus, where the brain produces too little ADH. Without this hormone, the kidneys let water pass straight through instead of reabsorbing it. The condition can follow head trauma, surgery near the pituitary gland, or develop without a clear cause. A rarer form, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, occurs when the kidneys fail to respond to ADH even though enough hormone is present.

How it's treated

For central diabetes insipidus, the standard approach is hormone replacement with a synthetic form of vasopressin. Desmopressin mimics the natural hormone and allows the kidneys to concentrate urine normally, dramatically reducing output and relieving thirst within hours of a dose. Symptoms are well controlled for most people on a stable regimen, though dose adjustments are sometimes needed after illness, hot weather, or changes in activity level, since fluid needs shift with them.

When to see a doctor

If you experience sudden extreme thirst, urinate many litres a day, or notice signs of dehydration such as dizziness or confusion, seek medical assessment promptly.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.