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.
Diabetes insipidus, Post-hypophysectomy polyuria (polydipsia), and Bedwetting.
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.
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-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.
It is unsafe to consume alcohol since it may worsen the side effects and increase urination.
DESMOPRESSIN 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.
DESMOPRESSIN is excreted into the breast milk when used by a breastfeeding mother. Please seek medical advice before you start DESMOPRESSIN if you are nursing.
Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any unmanageable side effects with DESMOPRESSIN.
Please let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when you are prescribed DESMOPRESSIN.
DESMOPRESSIN 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.
DESMOPRESSIN 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.
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.