Desmopressin (Oral)

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

Desmopressin is similar to a hormone made in the body. It works on the kidneys to decrease urine production.

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

It is very important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits. This will help your doctor see if the medicine is working properly and decide if you should continue using 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 experience 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 fluids 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 you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines, as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will need to consider the risks versus the benefits. The following points should be taken into account for this medicine:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any pediatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of desmopressin in children. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established for diabetes insipidus in children younger than 4 years old, and for bedwetting in children younger than 6 years old.

Geriatric

Studies conducted so far have not revealed any geriatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of desmopressin in older adults. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for those receiving desmopressin.

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. It is especially important for your healthcare provider to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are using this medicine. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

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 change the dose or how often you take one or both of the 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 the time of eating food or certain types of food, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare provider about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

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

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

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

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

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

Incidence not known

• Delusions
• dementia
• diarrhea

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may 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.