DDAVP (Oral)

Desmopressin is used to treat central cranial diabetes insipidus. This condition makes the body lose too much fluid, leading to dehydration. It is also used to help control bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) and to manage frequent urination and increased thirst caused by certain types of brain injury or brain surgery.

Desmopressin is similar to a hormone that the body produces. It works on the kidneys to decrease urine flow.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine lowers the amount of sodium in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps or spasms, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have an infection with a fever and severe vomiting or diarrhea. Your doctor may limit the amount of fluid or water you drink. If you drink too much water during hot weather, after strenuous exercise, or after severe vomiting or diarrhea, this medicine may cause serious unwanted effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use this medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks and benefits. Here are some important points to think about:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of desmopressin in children. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established for treating diabetes insipidus in children younger than 4 years old and for bedwetting in children younger than 6 years old.

Geriatric

Studies have not indicated any specific problems that would limit the use of desmopressin in older adults. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment for those taking desmopressin.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies to determine the risk to infants while using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be taken together at all, while others may be used together, even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It’s especially important for your healthcare provider to know if you are taking any of the following medicines while using this medicine. The following interactions are significant and may not be all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acetohexamide
• Alfentanil
• Amineptine
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amoxapine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anileridine
• Aspirin
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzhydrocodone
• Benzthiazide
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Buprenorphine
• Butorphanol
• Carbamazepine
• Celecoxib
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorpromazine
• Chlorpropamide
• Chlorthalidone
• Choline Salicylate
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Codeine
• Desipramine
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Dezocine
• Diacetylmorphine
• Diazoxide
• Dibenzepin
• Diclofenac
• Difenoxin
• Diflunisal
• Dihydrocodeine
• Diphenoxylate
• Dipyrone
• Doxepin
• Droxicam
• Escitalopram
• Ethylmorphine
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fentanyl
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Fluvoxamine
• Gliclazide
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Gliquidone
• Glyburide
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydrocodone
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Hydromorphone
• Ibuprofen
• Imipramine
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Ketobemidone
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Lamotrigine
• Levorphanol
• Lofepramine
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Melitracen
• Meloxicam
• Meperidine
• Meptazinol
• Methadone
• Methyclothiazide
• Metolazone
• Morniflumate
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nabumetone
• Nalbuphine
• Naproxen
• Nepafenac
• Nicomorphine
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Nortriptyline
• Opipramol
• Opium
• Opium Alkaloids
• Oxaprozin
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Papaveretum
• Parecoxib
• Paregoric
• Paroxetine
• Pentazocine
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piritramide
• Piroxicam
• Polythiazide
• Pranoprofen
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protriptyline
• Remifentanil
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sertraline
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sufentanil
• Sulindac
• Tapentadol
• Tenoxicam
• Tianeptine
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tilidine
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Tolvaptan
• Tramadol
• Trichlormethiazide
• Trimipramine
• Valdecoxib
• Vilazodone
• Vortioxetine
• Xipamide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain foods due to possible interactions. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how you can use this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Coronary artery disease or
• Cystic fibrosis or
• Kidney problems or
• Polydipsia (excessive thirst), habitual or psychogenic—Use with caution. May worsen side effects.

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)—Use with caution. May worsen this condition.

• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood), or a history of or
• Moderate to severe kidney disease—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Confusion
• convulsions
• decreased urine output
• dizziness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• headache
• increased thirst
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Weight gain

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to suggest ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Delusions
• dementia
• diarrhea

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• DDAVP

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Vasopressin (class)

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Your doctor may limit the amount of fluid or water you drink. Follow the instructions carefully to prevent unwanted effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets): For treatment of bedwetting: Adults and children 6 years of age or older—At first, 0.2 milligram (mg) as a single dose at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 0.6 mg per day. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For treatment of diabetes insipidus: Adults and children 4 years of age and older—At first, 0.05 milligram (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1.2 mg per day. Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.