Description
Desmopressin is used to treat central cranial diabetes insipidus. This is a condition that causes the body to lose too much fluid and become dehydrated. It is also used to control bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis), and the frequent urination and increased thirst caused by certain types of brain injury or brain surgery.
Desmopressin is similar to a hormone that is produced in the body. It acts on the kidneys to reduce the flow of urine.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of desmopressin in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established for diabetes insipidus in children younger than 4 years of age, and for bedwetting in children younger than 6 years of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of desmopressin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving desmopressin.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Alclometasone
- Aldosterone
- Amcinonide
- Beclomethasone
- Betamethasone
- Budesonide
- Bumetanide
- Ciclesonide
- Clobetasol
- Clobetasone
- Clocortolone
- Cortisone
- Deflazacort
- Desonide
- Desoximetasone
- Dexamethasone
- Diflorasone
- Diflucortolone
- Difluprednate
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Flucloronide
- Fludrocortisone
- Flumethasone
- Flunisolide
- Fluocinolone
- Fluocinonide
- Fluocortin
- Fluocortolone
- Fluorometholone
- Flurandrenolide
- Fluticasone
- Furosemide
- Halcinonide
- Halobetasol
- Hydrocortisone
- Loteprednol
- Medrysone
- Methylprednisolone
- Mometasone
- Paramethasone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use 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
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell 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 cause side effects to become worse.
- 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.
Proper Use
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.
- For treatment of bedwetting:
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.
Precautions
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.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur 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. Also, your health care professional may 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.
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