Vasopressin
About Vasopressin
Vasopressin is an injectable form of vasopressin, a hormone that helps control water balance and blood pressure. It may be used in hospital settings to raise dangerously low blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock (a severe condition in which blood vessels become too relaxed and blood pressure falls). It has also been used to manage central diabetes insipidus, a condition in which the body does not make enough of the hormone needed to control water balance.
The medicine may be given as an infusion into a vein or as an injection under the skin or into a muscle, depending on why it is being used. In emergencies, it is usually given and closely monitored by healthcare professionals.
Common side effects may include headache, nausea, pale skin, or stomach cramps. Consult your doctor right away if you develop chest pain, an unusual heartbeat, difficulty breathing, severe headache, confusion, or sudden swelling or weight gain.
Before receiving this medicine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney problems, asthma, migraine, or problems with your body's fluid or salt balance. Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, particularly medicines that affect blood pressure, heart rate, or fluid balance.
Uses of Vasopressin
Medicinal Benefits
Vasopressin helps support blood pressure and fluid balance when the body's natural vasopressin activity is not enough.
- Supports blood pressure during shock: It narrows blood vessels, helping raise blood pressure and maintain blood flow to vital organs.
- Reduces excessive urine loss: When used for central diabetes insipidus, it helps the kidneys retain water, reducing frequent urination and excessive thirst.
- Helps prevent dehydration: By reducing excessive water loss in urine, it can help maintain a healthier fluid balance in people with diabetes insipidus.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Vasopressin will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer it.
Storage
Side Effects of Vasopressin
Common Side Effects (Usually M
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Headache
- Pale skin
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Abdominal cramps
- Temporary changes in blood pressure
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
- Unusually slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Severe headache, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or seizures, which may be signs of dangerously low sodium levels
- Sudden weight gain or swelling, which may indicate too much fluid in the body
- Severe abdominal pain or other symptoms that may occur if blood flow to an organ is reduced
- Hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the solution: Do not use the medicine if it appears cloudy, discoloured, or contains visible particles.
- Monitor your fluid balance: Follow your doctor's instructions about how much fluid to drink, as too much water retention can cause dangerously low sodium levels.
- Watch for fluid buildup: Consult your doctor right away if you develop sudden weight gain, severe headache, confusion, unusual drowsiness, nausea, or swelling.
- Monitor your blood pressure: Vasopressin can raise blood pressure, so regular blood pressure and heart rate checks may be needed.
- Tell your doctor about heart problems: This medicine narrows blood vessels and may require extra caution if you have heart or blood vessel disease.
- Tell your doctor about kidney problems: Kidney disease can affect fluid and salt balance, so closer monitoring may be needed.
- Follow injection instructions carefully: Only give injections outside a healthcare setting if your healthcare professional has trained you to do so.
- Do not change your fluid intake on your own: Fluid requirements depend on your condition and treatment response.
Drug Interactions
- Diuretics (e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide): These medicines change how your body handles water and salts and may affect fluid balance during vasopressin treatment.
- Blood pressure medicines (e.g. propranolol, metoprolol): Medicines that affect blood pressure or heart rate may alter the cardiovascular effects of vasopressin and require closer monitoring.
- Medicines that can increase water retention (e.g. carbamazepine, chlorpropamide): These medicines may increase the water-retaining effect and raise the risk of low sodium levels or excessive fluid retention.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while on treatment with Vasopressin.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Vasopressin in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or expecting pregnancy; your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medicine, considering the importance of the treatment to the mother.
Driving
cautionVasopressin usually does not interfere with your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience unmanageable side effects with Vasopressin.
Liver
cautionLimited information was available about using Vasopressin in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Vasopressin if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionVasopressin is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney impairment. Please let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before receiving Vasopressin.
Children
unsafeVasopressin is not recommended in children below 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow your fluid plan: Drink the amount of fluid recommended by your healthcare team. Drinking too much or too little may disturb your body's fluid and sodium balance.
- Monitor your weight when advised: Sudden weight gain may be a sign that your body is retaining too much fluid.
- Follow dietary advice: Your doctor may recommend changes to your salt or fluid intake depending on your condition.
- Be cautious with alcohol: Alcohol can affect water balance and urine production. Ask your doctor whether you should avoid it during treatment.
- Attend regular monitoring: Keep appointments for blood pressure checks and blood tests recommended by your healthcare team.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of electrolytes is essential to rule out chances of fluid imbalance.
- If you are more frequently urinating than usual, it is advised to consult your endocrinologist to check for any hormonal abnormalities.
- Your doctor may advise kidney functioning tests to monitor for 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.
Hypotension: Low blood pressure is when blood pressure drops below the normal range. It can cause dizziness, weakness, fainting, and risk of injury from falls. Also, severely low blood pressure can deprive your body of enough oxygen to carry out its functions, damaging your heart and brain. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure in arteries when the heart rests between heartbeats. Ideal blood pressure should be 120/80 mmHg. Hypotension exists when the systolic pressure is less than 90 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure is less than 60 mmHg.
FAQs
Vasopressin is used to treat Low blood pressure (in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines), Diabetes insipidus and to Control bleeding from esophageal varices.
Vasopressin contains Vasopressin, a human-made form of Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). When your body cannot produce enough Vasopressin, Vasopressin is used to replace it. It helps treat diabetes insipidus. (a rare form of diabetes causing the production of large quantities of urine). Vasopressin increases the amount of water absorbed back into your kidneys. Thus, it helps treat diabetes insipidus.
Vasopressin increases plasma levels of factor VIII activity in patients with bleeding disorders.
Vasopressin causes vasoconstriction by binding to V1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle. Thus, Vasopressin helps to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines.
Optimal intake of fluids is recommended to prevent dehydration. However, avoid excess intake of water and other liquids like coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks during the treatment. Excessive fluid intake while using Vasopressin may lead to a build-up of water, which dilutes the salt in the body, leading to serious problems.
Vasopressin is safe when used only under the doctor’s supervision. However, it may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fast or irregular heart rate, hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), ischemia (restriction in blood supply), and redness/pain/swelling at the injection site.
Vasopressin should not be taken by people who are allergic to any of its ingredients or have hypersensitivity to 8-L-arginine vasopressin or chlorobutanol.
Vasopressin is effective in the treatment of low blood pressure (in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines), diabetes insipidus, and to control bleeding from oesophageal varices. However, its effectiveness may vary from person to person.
The common side effects of Vasopressin include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fast or irregular heart rate, hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), ischemia (restriction in blood supply), and redness/pain/swelling at the injection site. These side effects may not occur in everyone using this medication. However, if the side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek a doctor's advice.
Some vasopressin injections may be used outside a healthcare facility when specifically prescribed. You or your caregiver must first be trained by a healthcare professional in how to prepare, inject, and store the medicine safely.
Depending on the condition, this medicine may be given as an infusion into a vein or as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. Your healthcare team will choose the appropriate method.
No. Desmopressin is a medicine made to act like vasopressin, but it mainly helps the kidneys retain water and has much less effect on blood vessels. Desmopressin is more commonly used for central diabetes insipidus. Your doctor will choose vasopressin, desmopressin, or another treatment based on your condition and individual needs.
No. Terlipressin is another medicine related to vasopressin, but it has different effects and is used for different medical conditions. These medicines should not be used interchangeably unless your doctor specifically changes your treatment.
Warning signs can include sudden weight gain, severe headache, nausea, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or swelling. These symptoms may occur when too much water is retained, and the sodium level in your blood becomes too low. Seek medical advice promptly if these symptoms occur.
Yes. Vasopressin narrows blood vessels, which can raise blood pressure. Your healthcare team may monitor your blood pressure and heart rate during treatment. Q: Can I drink alcohol while using this medicine? A: Alcohol can affect urine production and your body's fluid balance. Ask your doctor whether alcohol should be avoided based on why you are receiving this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Vasopressin can affect the uterus and circulation, so your doctor will carefully consider the benefits and possible risks before using it during pregnancy.
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