Vasopressin Disease Interactions

Chronic nephritis with nitrogen retention contraindicates the use of vasopressin until reasonable nitrogen blood levels have been attained.

Vasopressin is contraindicated in patients with chronic nephritis with nitrogen retention. This until reasonable nitrogen blood levels have been attained.

Vasopressin should not be used in patients with vascular disease, especially disease of the coronary arteries, except with extreme caution. In such patients, even small doses may precipitate anginal pain, and large doses may cause myocardial infarction. If a decision is made to use the drug, ECG monitoring should be performed periodically during therapy.

Water intoxication and hyponatremia may occur during therapy with vasopressin or desmopressin due to their antidiuretic action. Patients are most likely to experience this problem if their fluid intake is excessive or if they do not require antidiuresis, such as when they are administered these agents for their hemostatic effects. Fluid intake should be adjusted carefully to avoid overhydration, particularly in children, elderly, and patients with conditions that may be exacerbated by fluid retention, including epilepsy, migraine, asthma, and heart failure. Patients should be monitored for signs of water intoxication (e.g., listlessness, drowsiness, and headaches), which may rarely progress to seizures and coma. The use of desmopressin is contraindicated in patients with hyponatremia or a history of hyponatremia.