Uses
What is desmopressin used for?
Desmopressin is commonly used to reduce the amount of pee made, including waking at night to pee or wetting the bed. Making too much pee can be caused by certain medical conditions, head injury, and types of brain surgery.
Desmopressin may also be used in people with either hemophilia A or Von Willebrand’s disease (Type I) to control bleeding caused by surgery or an injury.
Desmopressin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Desmopressin is also available as a nasal spray for use in the nose. See Desmopressin nasal for more information.
How does desmopressin work (mechanism of action)?
Desmopressin works by acting like a substance in your body called vasopressin. Vasopressin helps to control how much pee your body makes. Desmopressin also increases the activity of a substance called factor VIII that is needed to allow your blood to clot.
How is desmopressin supplied (dosage forms)?
Desmopressin is available as DDAVP, Nocdurna, and generic desmopressin in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth or injected.
- 0.1 mg oral tablet
- 0.2 mg oral tablet
- 27.7 mcg sublingual tablet
- 55.3 mcg sublingual tablet
- 4 mcg/mL solution for injection
How should I store desmopressin?
Oral Tablet. Desmopressin oral tablet should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.
Sublingual Tablet. Desmopressin sublingual tablet should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Keep the tablets in their original packaging to protect from light and moisture.
Injection Liquid. Desmopressin injection liquid should be stored refrigerated, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Store in a tightly closed container. Protect from light.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of desmopressin?
The most common side effects of desmopressin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Low sodium (see below)
- Nausea
- Flushing of the face
There may be other side effects of desmopressin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of desmopressin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of desmopressin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Low Sodium (Hyponatremia). Desmopressin can cause a low sodium level, which can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider may check your sodium levels, especially if you take a steroid or a medicine called a diuretic, also called a water pill. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or memory problems
- Weakness or tiredness
- Breathing problems
- Muscle cramps
- Seizures
Severe Allergic Reactions. Desmopressin can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious and lead to death. Stop using desmopressin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Desmospressin may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.
If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.
- Sudden severe headache
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or confusion
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea/vomiting
- Blurry or other changes to vision
- Anxiety
- Buzzing in the ears
- Nosebleed
- Feeling of skipped heart beats
Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Desmopressin may cause low blood pressure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or tired
- Fast heartbeat
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use desmopressin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take desmopressin products.
- Desmopressin
- DDAVP
- Nocdurna
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific desmopressin products they stock.
Heart Failure. Desmopressin should not be taken if you have heart failure. Desmopressin can cause fluid retention, which can worsen heart failure.
Uncontrolled Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Desmopressin should not be taken if you have uncontrolled blood pressure. Desmopressin can cause fluid retention, which can worsen hypertension. Make sure that you know if you have high blood pressure and if it has been successfully lowered with medicine before taking desmopressin.
Low Sodium (Hyponatremia). Desmopressin may cause a low sodium level. Do not take desmopressin if you have or have had low blood sodium levels or if you have any of the following conditions because of an increased risk of hyponatremia.
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Illnesses that can cause you to lose a lot of water from a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting
- A condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
- A kidney problem that causes you to have low salt levels
Kidney Problems. Desmopressin should not be taken if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if they are working well enough to take this medicine.
Drug Interactions. Desmopressin should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking desmopressin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
What should I know about desmopressin before using it?
Do not take desmopressin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share desmopressin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep desmopressin out of the reach of children.
If you take desmopressin to reduce the amount of pee made because you are waking at night to pee, limit the amount of water or other liquids you drink from an hour before taking desmopressin to 8 hours after taking it.
Desmopressin can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how desmopressin affects you.
Children and people who are 65 years of age or older can be at greater risk for some side effects of desmopressin. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using desmopressin?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if desmopressin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following health conditions.
- von Willebrand’s disease Type IIB
- Kidney problems
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- An infection, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Increased pressure in your brain (intracranial pressure)
- Trouble peeing (urinary retention)
- Cystic fibrosis
- History of blood clots (injection)
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how desmopressin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take desmopressin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Desmopressin may pass into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take desmopressin while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does desmopressin interact with foods or drinks?
Do not drink alcohol, coffee, or other drinks that have caffeine because they cause you to pee. You may lose too much water and become dehydrated.
Does desmopressin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking desmopressin.
- Certain medicines that increase blood pressure, such as pseudoephedrine, which is contained in many OTC products for colds or allergies
- Tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are medicines used to treat depression or other conditions
- A sulfonylurea such as chlorpropamide, which is a type of medicine to treat diabetes
- Chlorpromazine, a medicine used to treat certain mental health conditions
- An opioid, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and others, which is contained in many prescription products for pain
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products for pain, swelling, and fever
- Lamotrigine or carbamazepine, which are medicines used to treat seizures
- Oxybutynin, which is a medicine to treat overactive bladder
- A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions, asthma, or COPD
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much desmopressin?
If you or someone else has taken too much desmopressin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of desmopressin?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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