Desmopressin

2 medicines

Desmopressin is a synthetic form of the hormone vasopressin, used to reduce urine output in diabetes insipidus, bedwetting and nighttime urination; drinking normal amounts of fluid while it is active can cause dangerous water intoxication and low blood sodium.

DDAVP

Desmopressin

200mcg

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

from $1.95 / tablet View

Nocdurna

Desmopressin

0.2mg

Nocdurna is a bladder medication containing Desmopressin, available as 0.2mg tablets.

from $4.16 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Desmopressin is a man-made version of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). It tells the kidneys to reabsorb water, so less urine is produced.
  • It comes as a tablet, melt, nasal spray or injection; doses are given once or twice daily, or at bedtime for nighttime urination and bedwetting.
  • Fluid intake must be restricted around each dose, typically from one hour before to eight hours after. Drinking normally while the drug is active can cause water intoxication and low blood sodium, which can trigger seizures and has been fatal.
  • Seek urgent care for severe headache, confusion, vomiting or a seizure while taking desmopressin.

What desmopressin treats

Desmopressin treats central diabetes insipidus, where the kidneys lose too much water because the body makes too little vasopressin, nocturnal polyuria, and bedwetting (enuresis) in children old enough for bladder training. At higher doses, usually by injection, it raises clotting factor levels before minor surgery in mild haemophilia A and von Willebrand disease. It does not treat urinary tract infections or an overactive bladder.

How desmopressin works

Desmopressin binds the same kidney receptor as natural vasopressin, increasing water reabsorption so urine becomes more concentrated and smaller in volume. At higher doses it also triggers release of stored clotting factor VIII and von Willebrand factor from blood vessel walls, briefly improving clotting.

Before you take it

  • Do not take desmopressin if you have low blood sodium, a strong urge to drink fluids you cannot control, or a history of SIADH.
  • Tell your prescriber about heart failure, kidney disease, or cystic fibrosis: these raise the risk of fluid overload and low sodium.
  • Fluid restriction is not optional. Anyone starting desmopressin, especially children and older adults, needs clear instructions on how much they may drink and when.
  • Other medicines that raise the risk of low sodium, including some antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and other diuretics, should be flagged to your prescriber.

Side effects

Common effects include headache, nausea, nasal irritation or a runny nose with the spray form, and mild fluid retention.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe headache, confusion, vomiting or a seizure.
  • Rapid weight gain or unusual swelling.
  • Persistent drowsiness that is unusual for you or your child.

Safety essentials

  • Water intoxication with low blood sodium is desmopressin's defining risk. Follow the fluid restriction around each dose exactly, and seek medical review if you cannot.
  • Children and older adults are at higher risk of low sodium; blood sodium is checked soon after starting and if any warning symptom appears.
  • Stop desmopressin and seek medical advice during any illness with vomiting, diarrhoea or fever, since fluid balance becomes harder to control.
  • Buy desmopressin only from a licensed pharmacy and do not adjust the dose without medical advice.

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