Desmopressin - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

Information about Desmopressin

Generic Name : Desmopressin
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Desmopressin are provided here.

Pronunciation : des moe press' in

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Desmopressin, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

ICD Code : Y42 Therapeutic Classification : Hormones

Trade Names/Brand Names of Desmopressin

India :

International :

DDAVP, Noctiva

Why is Desmopressin Prescribed? (Indications)

Desmopressin is used to reduce the symptoms of diabetes insipidus or water diabetes, a condition in which the body produces an abnormally excessive amount of urine.

Desmopressin helps to treat bed wetting or nocturnal enuresis, a condition of passing urine during sleep at night.

Desmopressin also reduces the excessive thirst and the passage of large amount of urine that occurs after a head injury or a head surgery.

It is also used to treat hemophilia A (a genetic disorder that causes increased bleeding) and von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder that occurs due to low levels of clotting protein in the blood).

Desmopressin is a hormone which works by mimicking the action of vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone which helps to balance the amount of water and salt in the body.

When should Desmopressin not be taken? (Contraindications)

Desmopressin should not be used in patients with-

• Allergic to desmopressin
• Low sodium level in the blood or hyponatremia
• Severe kidney disease
• Heart disease (e.g., Congestive heart failure, Uncontrolled hypertension)

What is the dosage of Desmopressin?

Bed wetting or nocturnal enuresis:

The recommended dose of desmopressin tablets for patients who are 6 years older and above can take 0.2 to 0.6 mg once daily just before bedtime.

The dose of desmopressin nasal spray is 1.66 mcg in patients who are under 65 years old and 0.83 mcg in patients above 65 years old or patients with a risk of low sodium level in the blood.

Diabetes Insipidus:

The usual dosage range in adults is 0.5 mL (2.0 mcg) to 1 mL (4.0 mcg) daily either directly into the vein (intravenously) or just under the skin (subcutaneously).

The recommended initial dose is 100 mcg 3 times/day can be taken mouth.

Hemophilia A and von Willebrand's Disease

The recommended dose is 4mcg/ml at a dose of 0.3 mcg /kg body weight diluted in sterile physiological saline and infused slowly directly into the vein (IV) over 15 to 30 minutes.

How should Desmopressin be taken?

Desmopressin comes as a tablet to take by mouth, with or without food.

It also comes as a solution for injection to be administered by a healthcare provider into the vein or muscle.

Desmopressin nasal spray can be sprayed into the right or left nostril 30 minutes before going to bed.

What are the side effects of Desmopressin?

• Headache
• Nausea
• Flushing
• Mild stomach pain

What are the other precautions for Desmopressin?

Avoid excess dosage.

What are the storage conditions for Desmopressin?

• Store desmopressin tablets at controlled room temperature from 20°C to 25°C and in an airtight container.

• Keep away from children.

• Store the liquid in the refrigerator, do not freeze it.