Desmopressin
About
Desmopressin is a hormone analogue that belongs to the class of ‘antihemophilic agents’ primarily used to treat diabetes insipidus, post-hypophysectomy polyuria (extreme urination) polydipsia (extreme thirst), and bedwetting. Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the body fails to control water balance, resulting in excessive urination. Hypophysectomy is the surgical removal of the hypophysis (pituitary gland).
Desmopressin contains Desmopressin, a human-made form (synthetic) of Vasopressin. Vasopressin is an antidiuretic (that controls fluid balance) hormone, synthesized in the pituitary gland's hypothalamus. When your body cannot produce enough vasopressin, Desmopressin is given to replace a low vasopressin level. It mimics the natural hormone, vasopressin and works by reabsorbing water from the kidneys, which controls excessive thirst and urination in diabetes insipidus. It also decreases the amount of urine produced and controls bedwetting in children. Being an anti-haemophilic agent, Desmopressin also reduces bleeding tendency in haemophilia (bleeding disorder) by promoting the release of blood clotting factors.
Your doctor will decide the dosage depending on your medical condition. The common side effects of Desmopressin include headache, nausea, abdominal cramp, flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck, and trunk). Although not everyone experiences these side effects, if they occur, seek medical attention.
Before starting Desmopressin, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of severe kidney disease or hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body), extreme thirst, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart failure, and fluid retention. While using Desmopressin, limit water and other fluids' intake since it may lead to electrolyte imbalance. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other caffeine sources before bedtime, leading to increased urination. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using Desmopressin. Do not take or stop this medicine, if the doctor did not advise you to do so.
Uses of Desmopressin
Medicinal Benefits
Desmopressin is a hormone analogue that treats diabetes insipidus, post-hypophysectomy polyuria (extreme urination) or polydipsia (excessive thirst), and bedwetting. It contains Desmopressin, a synthetic form of Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone), which mimics the natural hormone, vasopressin and works by limiting the amount of water eliminated in the urine, thus controlling excessive thirst and urination in diabetes insipidus. It also decreases the amount of urine produced, thereby preventing the urinary bladder from filling up at night time and controls bedwetting in children. Being an anti-haemophilic agent, Desmopressin also reduces bleeding tendency in haemophilia (bleeding disorder) by promoting the release of blood clotting factors.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Desmopressin
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramp
- Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before starting Desmopressin, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of severe kidney disease, hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body), extreme thirst, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart failure, fluid/mineral imbalance (cystic fibrosis), bleeding/clotting problems, and fluid retention. While using Desmopressin, limit water and other fluids' intake since it may lead to electrolyte imbalance. Inform your doctor if you have any allergic reactions or lactose intolerance before using Desmopressin. Please consult your doctor before starting Desmopressin if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or are a breastfeeding mother. It is not recommended to consume alcohol since it may worsen the side effects and increase urination.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Desmopressin may interact with fits medicine (lamotrigine), antidepressants (escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline), and water pills (furosemide).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol since it may worsen the side effects and increase urination.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking Desmopressin if you have a medical history of kidney disease, hyponatremia (low sodium levels in your body), severe thirst, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart failure, fluid/mineral imbalance (cystic fibrosis), bleeding/clotting problems, and fluid retention.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol since it may worsen the side effects and increase urination.
Pregnancy
cautionDesmopressin is a pregnancy category B drug. It can cause pre-eclampsia in pregnant women leading to high blood pressure, oedema (swelling due to the build-up of fluid) and proteinuria (protein in the urine). Please consult your doctor before starting Desmopressin if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionDesmopressin is excreted into the breast milk when used by a breastfeeding mother. Please seek medical advice before you start Desmopressin if you are nursing.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience any unmanageable side effects with Desmopressin.
Liver
cautionPlease let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when you are prescribed Desmopressin.
Kidney
cautionDesmopressin is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment. Please let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when prescribed Desmopressin.
Children
safe if prescribedDesmopressin can be prescribed to children by the doctor, depending on the disease. The doctor decides the right dose for a child based on his/her age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals if you take Desmopressin for more than once per day. Do not use other over-the-counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Desmopressin.
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other caffeine sources before bedtime since it can lead to increased urination.
- Avoid activities that cause dehydration, such as excessive physical exercise or spending time in the heat.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of electrolytes is essential to rule out chances of fluid imbalance.
- If you are frequently urinating, it is advised to consult your endocrinologist to check for any hormonal abnormalities.
- You may also be advised for any CT, or MRI scans to know the functioning of your pituitary gland.
- Kidney functioning tests may be advised by your doctor to monitor for any renal impairment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes insipidus: It is a condition in which the body fails to control fluid balance, resulting in excessive urination. It is caused due to two conditions: A) Central diabetes insipidus is a condition when your pituitary gland cannot produce enough vasopressin (an antidiuretic hormone that maintains fluid balance). B) Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: Though you make enough vasopressin, your kidneys may not respond to vasopressin that regulates fluid balance.
Hypophysectomy: It is the surgical removal of the hypophysis (pituitary gland) to treat cancerous or benign tumours.
FAQs
Desmopressin contains Desmopressin, a human-made form of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). When your body cannot produce enough vasopressin, Desmopressin is used to replace it. It helps treat diabetes insipidus, post-hypophysectomy polyuria or polydipsia, and bedwetting by causing water reabsorption in the kidneys and reducing the amount of urine to be filled up in the bladder.
Desmopressin does not cause weight gain. But it may cause fluid overload as a side effect by reducing the amount of fluid to be urinated. This fluid overload can result in weight gain.
Desmopressin does not cure bedwetting, but it helps control bedwetting. It is usually prescribed at the night time to prevent frequent urination.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Optimal intake of fluids is recommended. However, avoid excess intake of water and other liquids like coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks, leading to worsening of electrolyte imbalance.
